My boat has twin Crusader 454's tied to Borg Warner V-drives. A few weeks ago while I was headed back to the dock, I felt the starboard drive slipping a bit. A few days later, I went down into the bilge to check things out. The fluid was low in the starboard side so I added about 1.5 quarts to bring it up to normal levels. There was some fluid in the bilge and at the time, I assumed that it must have been a slow leak that I need to keep my eye on.
Yesterday, I took the boat out again for the first time since adding fluid. Just as I was leaving the no wake zone and I started pushing the throttles forward, the starboard drive seemed to lock up and the starboard engine shut down. I can put the shifter in neutral and restart the engine but as soon as I put it in forward gear, the engine dies again. Fortunately, I still have reverse gear on the starboard side which allowed me to get the boat back in the slip without too much difficulty. I also have more fluid in the bilge.
It seems evident that the leak is not just a slow one. Possibly a loose hose but what I am really worried about now is whether or not I may have killed my drive.
Any suggestions or ideas on this are greatly appreciated.
Frank
Yesterday, I took the boat out again for the first time since adding fluid. Just as I was leaving the no wake zone and I started pushing the throttles forward, the starboard drive seemed to lock up and the starboard engine shut down. I can put the shifter in neutral and restart the engine but as soon as I put it in forward gear, the engine dies again. Fortunately, I still have reverse gear on the starboard side which allowed me to get the boat back in the slip without too much difficulty. I also have more fluid in the bilge.
It seems evident that the leak is not just a slow one. Possibly a loose hose but what I am really worried about now is whether or not I may have killed my drive.
Any suggestions or ideas on this are greatly appreciated.
Frank
