water in OMC Cobra outdrive

[mikezohsix]

I bought this boat after it sat for 21 years. It's an 86 3.0l in a grumman aluminum boat.

After a quick before you buy it sea trial when I drained the outdrive it had just a hint of water in it. I chalked it up to old oil and condensation.

Well after a way too expensive, and time consuming complete refurb of the boat, (see my thread in the boat restoration forum if you're interested, search Grumman 184) we took our first ride in it today. I traced a bad high rpm rattle to a broken starter bolt, so now the engine is coming out. I thought that was bad, until,,,,

When I pulled the plug in the top of the OD to put the lifting ring in, the oil on the dip stick was milky.

I drained the oil and, my wife discribes it as Baileys Irish Cream.

Is there any way for water to get into the OD except thru the seal by the prop shaft?

I had redone the bellows, and it was dry by the u-joints.

I am so bummed.........................

 

[Don S]

Re: water in OMC Cobra outdrive

Is there any way for water to get into the OD except thru the seal by the prop shaft?

Many different places. Under the water pump, shift shaft seals, orings between upper and lower, input shaft seals, cap gasket, drain/vent/fill plug gaskets.
Best thing to do is drain the drive may take a long time as that mix is thick, and do a pressure and vacuum check on the drive to find the leak. Don't count out the bellows either, it may have been wet at one time, but dry after setting for 21 years.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: water in OMC Cobra outdrive

And after sitting 21 yrs, it is certainly ready for a complete reseal, idealy should have been done before you splashed it.

 

[mikezohsix]

Re: water in OMC Cobra outdrive

is that something a person can do with normal tools?
or do I need a lot of special tools?