outdrive lubrication for Mercury Bravo 3

[joe1048]

My Mercury Bravo 3 20 years old sprung a leak the reservoir hose from the transom to the sterndrive. The. Stern drive end has a ratchet plastic retainer while transom end uses a tie strap. question stern end fitting very tight area to work next to bellows I see no problem removing clamp and hose from barbed connector but will I have a problem reclamping hose in that tight area .Will I need any special tools should I use same style plastic ratchet. Has anyone out there did this before any suggestions.

 

[alldodge]

Its hard to get on. Take a Tie-wrap and make a loop and place over the fitting. Put liquid soap on hose end and grab with needle nose pliers. Once hose is in place, tighten tie-wrap

 

[joe1048]

I did want to use a ratchet clamp because a tie either wouldn't be tight enough or snap in time from heating and contracting. I guess I really don't have a choice Mercury must have mechanics with small hands I have sausage fingers. Thank you for the confidence.

 

[tpenfield]

Biggest PITA I can imagine . . .very tight location. Getting a couple of tywraps on there will be about the best you can do. I have a feeling the oil line gets connected at the bell housing before it is installed into the gimbal ring and then secure to the transom assembly fitting.

 

[joe1048]

Thank you for your response My 25 year old grand daughter tried to reach in with her fingers not any better this is going to be tough. I'm going to slit the tubbing off with a razor and peal it off next step would be to heat the rubber hose and slip it over the nipple next will be the biggest problem tie strap working it down and then getting in with needle nose to tighten down. Would like to know how the pros do it.

 

[alldodge]

I would remove the bell housing, otherwise I don't see how to get it done.

The drive boot is easy enough, and the shift cable can be left on. Most B3's use an exhaust tube and not a boot due to exhaust restriction issues

There is barely enough room to get the tubing on, this is why the tie wrap is installed with a large loop first

 

[alldodge]

To get a jump on this from your message

The fitting snapped off and want to know if there is a fix to get rid of it for now and fix later.

I have not tried to remove but it can be done, just not sure how safe this would be for the drive. If the quick connect valve was removed from the bell housing, the drive might stay sealed. The drive has a check ball (item 21) which closes off when the drive is removed

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30968/5398/80

If I was going to do this, I would lay the drive on its side with the vent facing up after filling. Then pour lube into the hole until the vent hole is full. Laying on its side allows the drive to be filled higher as it would be if the lube bottle was still connected

Don't place any other gasket material in its place other then the O-ring to make sure it does not effect the sealing of the drive bellows or water intake

As for the fee thru, leave it in place and hope it does not push out

 

[joe1048]

I read your rely this morning if you didn't read my previous post I want to try my way first with the Marine Tex and the brass barb first it is a unorthodox repair but if I take my time it should hold till my boating days are over. The original hose lasted 20 Years I.ll let you know how I made out.