Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

I had to be towed. Lost all forward and reverse propulsion. How much damage could be done at this point? I got a warning buzzer about halfway back to the marina and I shut the engine down. Thought it was an errant buzzer. I read my manual when I got home...it was a low drive oil warning. After a few minutes of checking the things, I restarted engine and we started to go again. Buzzer remained on. Finally after about 10 mins the engine revved high, I immediately shut down because we lost propulsion. It was then I had to call for help. So....did I really mess up my lower unit?? Right now it's sitting at the marina. He said he'd call in the morning. I'm hoping I didn't really set myself up for some big repairs? Anybody know?

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

if there was a rapid lube loss and you continued to run the drive with no lube in it there is a good chance you destroyed the upper gearset

the audible alarm system is in place for a reason, it is your responsibility to understand why the alarm is sounding

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

Sterndrive upper gears are prolly blown... And all the garbage is in the lower too. Expect about $1400 for a new SEI drive with a warranty.

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

Should have read the MANUAL before!

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

The above posts are correct on what happened. Excuse their rudeness and smart aleckness. I see you are somehat new. The others forget that they were new once as well. Unless of course they were born with all of the knowledge. Luckily, most posters are pretty cool !

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

Ya live and learn...Usually don't forget mistakes that cost ya $$$.Hopefully you just blew bearings out and gears aren't sheered off.

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

Sorry to say, you are probably looking at total drive unit rebuild / replacement. If it was powered long enough to loose propulsion, chances are it has been toasted to the point where every component in there needs to be removed and inspected / replaced.

A new SEI unit would probably be your best / most cost effective option with a warranty

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

:facepalm: It's true...you don't forget mistakes that cost you $$$. I'm pretty upset with myself. I should of just called for help instead of trying to make it back. A rookie mistake for sure. I'm thinking back...before we left out for a short first run of the season the drive unit oil reservoir had oil and was about halfway between the bottom of the reservoir tank and fill-line. When we got back to the marina...it was empty. Will NEVER be less than full again. But here's what I"m wondering. I was cleaning the boat noticed a small hard cap on the upper unit was missing. (this would be where the trim hydraulics were mounted with the cap being located on the horizontal surface between each cylinder) Found it on the ground, snapped it in but it didn't seem real tight. If that came off would I lose my drive oil rapidly? Hopefully someone will read this and not make the same bonehead mistake I did. I appreciate your sentiments 1960vw, you were right...I'm new. But the tough love responses...I deserve. Yep...my fault. If you have a warning buzzer...don't continue to run your boat. I'll post the damage and $$. I'm sure some of you will laugh and snicker at my expense...but hey...I'm a big boy. I can take it.

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

"(this would be where the trim hydraulics were mounted with the cap being located on the horizontal surface between each cylinder)". Wondering exactly where this is?

Re: Drive Oil Out Didn't make it to the marina

I believe the cap you are referring to is just a little cover you remove to access the big allen bolt that holds your trim tab on [the little zinc fin on the rear, or it may be flat if its been swapped out to make room for a larger prop] Not having that on didn't cause your problems, its not as gear oil seal, Mine has been missing for years. The cavity underneath it is always full of water ,and exhaust underway anyhow. The cap may minimize a bunch of sand and silt gettin in there, but thats about it. If you pour water in that hole, it would run past your water pump housing and drain out of any of the small void drain holes around the lower unit. around the prop, the larger hole on the lower stbd side.