bravo 3 gear lube monitor hose questions

[the man]

I have a 2004 Mercruiser 5.0 SN OW003759 with Bravo 3 SN OW108118.

the gear lube hose has become disconnected from the outdrive housing. I have spent 2 hours feeling around back there, plus tried buying a remote camera, but cannot find where it is supposed to go. I am afraid I will have to pull the engine to re-connect it. Two questions:

1) anyone tell me where this barb is? is it possible to "reach" back there and re-connect? the shop manuals do not show with clarity where it is.

2) the outdrive has never used oil. what if I run it for ten days or so like it is. Is there any function of this reserve system other than to keep it topped off? with no hose connected, could it drain from the barb that the hose disconnected from?

 

[Don S]

Re: bravo 3 gear lube monitor hose questions

Your 2004 model should have a quick disconnect fitting on it, and the hose has obviously come off the quick disconnect for some reason.
Here is a page from the manual that should help you locate it.

And YES, they can be a real pain to reach, but I have never had one (except for a diesel) that couldn't be reached without pulling the engine. You may have to pull the exhaust riser and maybe the manifold depending you what is around your engine.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: bravo 3 gear lube monitor hose questions

I have a 2004 Mercruiser 5.0 SN OW003759 with Bravo 3 SN OW108118.

the gear lube hose has become disconnected from the outdrive housing. I have spent 2 hours feeling around back there, plus tried buying a remote camera, but cannot find where it is supposed to go. I am afraid I will have to pull the engine to re-connect it. Two questions:

1) anyone tell me where this barb is? is it possible to "reach" back there and re-connect? the shop manuals do not show with clarity where it is.

2) the outdrive has never used oil. what if I run it for ten days or so like it is. Is there any function of this reserve system other than to keep it topped off? with no hose connected, could it drain from the barb that the hose disconnected from?

In my experience with this hose is the hose will break off of the fitting and leak oil into the bilge area.

If it is broken, then the oil from the sterndrive will flow into the bilge of the boat and you will destroy the sterndrive due to no oil.

But I doubt it's just unplugged, (There's a 50/50 chance on that) But if it is just unplugged then you should be able to see the fitting if you look just past the starter heading to the transom area with a flashlight, Look for a orange "O" ring sticking out of the transom assembly if it's unplugged.

I would NOT suggest running it if it's has a broken fitting.

To see if it's broken, you could try pulling the hose up to you and look at the end of the hose to see if it looks like something is broken off on the inside of the hose, Also look to see if the plastic hose barb fitting is cracked just before the 90 degree plug, Also there should be a plastic hose clamp around the outside of the hose as well.

 

[the man]

Re: bravo 3 gear lube monitor hose questions

the hose is definately broken off. there is no sign of a clamp or a barb on the end of the hose that is remaining.

i cannot find the quick release. using the diagram supplied, a remote inspection camera, and feeling around back there for a total of 8 hours now. I also cannot remove the exhaust riser due to the proximity of the deck above and the 90 degree angle of the part. I have resigned to an engine pull to get this fixed. will take pictures when i get it exposed.

 

[the man]

Re: bravo 3 gear lube monitor hose questions

after posting that above, i decided to try once more. upside down, wedged into the engine compartment, i can put my had on the quickrelease. is there a trick to get it off? there is very little room to push the release button, and not knwoing the exact technique it will not come off...