Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

[rhillman75]

Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

So I talked to the marina that pressure tested the outdrive over the winter and told him that it is "still" leaving a puddle of drive oil on the ground from the front of lower housing. He still stands strong saying that it "passed" a pressure test after he replaced the shift shaft seal. I also told him that I am getting a "mix" of water in the resevoir tank and now one in the bilge. I am sure the oil in the bilge is from the fitting on the transom, condsidering the line from the resevoir to the fitting was replaced last year. I know he did do a pressure test because he left a plastic fitting in the lower unit just in front of the shift foot. Should that fitting be removed and if it is still in there, then is that where the water is coming in to mix with the resevoir. I also have noticed oil/water mixed lube draining from the weep holes on the lower unit. Trying to figure where to start before I take it back and it is something I can fix rather than getting nailed for another $250.00

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

See if the guy is willing to do a vacuum test and a pressure test again since your still having trouble.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

See if the guy is willing to do a vacuum test and a pressure test again since your still having trouble.

I have heard it said at merc recurency training that merc units should never be vacume tested.

 

[rhillman75]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

I have another stupid question. This "fitting" that is plastic that is located just in "front" of the shift foot. I noticed tonight after going back out and looking again. There was an additional plastic piece that appeared to be "plastic clip locked" on the nipple last week and now it is not there. Which means that nipple is exposed under water. What is that piece called? I have seen some youtube videos that show the lower drive being mounted to the upper drive with that very piece being on it when it is installed. However, I can not see any part number listed at Merc parts express that even show it. Now I am starting to question that piece as well.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Sounds like you are describing the hook up for the speedo hose. Unhooked will only make speedo not work.

The drive needs to be removed and pressure tested again.

 

[rhillman75]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Interesting about the speedo hook up, considering I have a pick up mounted to the bottom of the hull and a dedicated line going from it to inside the transom. Its going back tomorrow, I was just concerned about it missing the top piece that goes on the nipple.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Interesting about the speedo hook up, considering I have a pick up mounted to the bottom of the hull and a dedicated line going from it to inside the transom. Its going back tomorrow, I was just concerned about it missing the top piece that goes on the nipple.

96 alpha has built in speedo pickup, it's the hole in the leading edge. They clog in water with lots of debris so may have been changed due to that.

 

[rhillman75]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Funny thing is that I actually just found the piece in my yard where I had it on the muffs last week. Its been so dry that I can't mow the yard and I saw it by seeing the clip (yellow). Well, at least that problem is solved. I will let the marina do the rest. I did lay undedr the drive one more time and I do see oil "trickling" down the shift shaft in the bell housing. If that is leaking down like that and let say they did "fix" the upper and lower unit, could that bushing/seal be causing the leak (may be obvious by now), but could it also be causing water intrusion?

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Funny thing is that I actually just found the piece in my yard where I had it on the muffs last week. Its been so dry that I can't mow the yard and I saw it by seeing the clip (yellow). Well, at least that problem is solved. I will let the marina do the rest. I did lay undedr the drive one more time and I do see oil "trickling" down the shift shaft in the bell housing. If that is leaking down like that and let say they did "fix" the upper and lower unit, could that bushing/seal be causing the leak (may be obvious by now), but could it also be causing water intrusion?

Any place oil can get out water can get in.

I've been seeing leakage from the shift shaft bshg/seal on the lower unit and also from the seals in the upper that seal the d-shaft from the lower leaking down and looking like the shift shaft leaking occasionally at the shop. The shaft above the seal would not have oil running down it from the pivot hsg end unless there is oil in the exhaust or it is coming from above there and running/dripping onto the shaft.

 

[rhillman75]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

The bad part is that this marina is "known" for quality work, so I am thinking that I have an issue in the housing. I am just trying to fiure out where the oil would be "coming" from, if it is coming down that shaft, which apparently it is. Could it be from the o-rings on the drive shaft itself where it enters into the gimbal. I am pretty sure they did not replace those, since I did not ask them to. I did have a drive bellows leak about 2 years ago and all they replaced was the bellows and the gimbal. They never mentioned replacing the 3 o-rings on the shaft. Could that be an issue? Just trying to get my cards aligned before I talk to them tomorrow.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

The bad part is that this marina is "known" for quality work, so I am thinking that I have an issue in the housing. I am just trying to fiure out where the oil would be "coming" from, if it is coming down that shaft, which apparently it is. Could it be from the o-rings on the drive shaft itself where it enters into the gimbal. I am pretty sure they did not replace those, since I did not ask them to. I did have a drive bellows leak about 2 years ago and all they replaced was the bellows and the gimbal. They never mentioned replacing the 3 o-rings on the shaft. Could that be an issue? Just trying to get my cards aligned before I talk to them tomorrow.

I'm guessing it's the seals in the upper that seal the d-shaft from the lower dripping/running down onto the shift shaft. We are talking about green oil?

The answer is to pull the drive. You'll then see if there is oil in the bellows or pivot hsg. After that drain and pressure test the drive. This all needs to be done. You know there is water in the oil, no way around pulling the drive and checking.

 

[rhillman75]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

I'm guessing it's the seals in the upper that seal the d-shaft from the lower dripping/running down onto the shift shaft. We are talking about green oil?

The answer is to pull the drive. You'll then see if there is oil in the bellows or pivot hsg. After that drain and pressure test the drive. This all needs to be done. You know there is water in the oil, no way around pulling the drive and checking.

Actually, I know for a fact that they use Pennzoil marine lube in both the outdrive and in the resevoir. They push the fact that it is "cheaper" and more "universal". I believe it is 80/90 weight.

 

[achris]

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Re: Still can't figure out my "mystery" drive oil leak & resevoir mixing with water.

Actually, I know for a fact that they use Pennzoil marine lube in both the outdrive and in the resevoir. They push the fact that it is "cheaper" and more "universal". I believe it is 80/90 weight.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.... Not right! Not right!!!

Those drive should ONLY be filled with Quicksilver High Performance Gear Lube....

And for some very good reasons.... Mostly because it's far more water tolerant than any other gear oil... Very few gear lubes have to cope with water intrusion, especially SALT water.... QHPGL has been made with that in mind....

They push Pennzoil because THEY'RE MAKING MORE MONEY ON IT!!!!

You need to find a shop that uses the right oil, at the very least!!!

Chris........

Just so you know.. I'm not a Merc dealer (anymore) and I have no vested interest in pushing their products... In fact, after what they did (or didn't do) to me, I hate Mercury Marine with a passion... Unfortunately I do recognize that their after-care products are amongst the best in the industry...