Water in Yamaha outdrive!

77searay197

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
95
4.3 v6 Yamaha sterndrive. noticed when I have my drive tilted up I have gear oil coming out of one of the holes on my lower unit. I drained the gear oil and some clear water came out first then some milky gear oil but not all of it was milky. What’s the easiest way to figure out where my leak is? I know pressure testing but how do you go about finding the leak? Do you gotta seperate the drive? Any help would be appreciated. I know this is a rare drive and probably going to be a pain in the ass to get parts for and I’m sure no one will wanna touch it so I’ll be tackling it myself.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
36,033
Install a seal kit.-----Parts like oil seals may be the same as some of the big Yamaha outboards.----Find ----crowley marine------Might be able to help you no problem.
 
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77searay197

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
95
I’ve found a lower seal kit but having trouble finding a upper. I really don’t wanna have to spend tons of money because i planned on selling this boat because I have another boat project I’m about to start but at the same time I don’t want to sell it with a leaky outdrive.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
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47,296
You may have to order the seal kits direct from Yamaha
 

77searay197

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
95
I did a pressure test and it’s losing pressure rather quickly. I checked the prop seal and it’s not leaking there but I can hear air hissing out of the bottom of the lower unit. Can you take the lower unit off without having to take the whole outdrive off or do you have to take the outdrive off and then take the lower unit off? Sorry I haven’t don’t much work on outdrives
 

77searay197

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
95
Sooo this is what I found when I took my outdrive off. Somehow one of my exhaust flappers ended up right here where the shift fork is. I pressure tested my outdrive off of the boat and now it’s holding pressure. I’m kind of stumped. Would that have anything to do with it not holding pressure and getting water in my gear oil? I thought it may have messed up my outdrive gasket but I wouldn’t think it would have anything to do with getting water in my gear oil. Kind of explains why my shifter started messing up though.
 

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77searay197

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
95
Well I split the drive and this is what I found. Would it be these 2 o rings that have failed that need replaced?
 

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