Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

[rocklydockly]

1995 Rinker 5.7L Bravo 3 232 - My Bravo 3 reservoir has been getting slightly more full - 1/4 in or so. I decided to change out the drive oil. I opened the reservoir lid and then the vent screw before removing the drain screw. When I opened the vent screw oil and air sprayed out. I then opened the drain and the rest of the oil drained out except the reservoir. The level in the reservoir didn't move. I removed the reservoir and poured out the oil. I put some pressure on the reservoir line with a bike pump trying to force out the gear lube into the outdrive. It didn't move. The drive is a little chalky looking these days and may have been running hot. I live in the desert, 110 degrees is common.

I'm going to fill from the bottom drain until it comes out the vent. I don't know if there is a chance that it is going to come out the reservoir line as it seemed plugged. I also believe there is a chance that Quicksilver High Performance and Premium have been mixed in the drive. I know this is not good, that's why the fluid change. Very little metal on the magnet drains, more on top then on bottom.

How do I clear the blockage on the reservoir line? How important is this vs. making sure the outdrive is full via vent plug? Must I abandon all hope ?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

How do I clear the blockage on the reservoir line? How important is this vs. making sure the outdrive is full via vent plug? Must I abandon all hope ?

Howdy,


It is IMPERATIVE that you ensure that the reservoir line is clear and draining properly into the drive.

You should remove the reservoir (to clean & flush it) after you pull the drive (to check the alignment, bellows, gimbal bearing, U-joints etc) and ensure that the connection to the drive is actually able to flow oil into the drive.

You can normally check when you pull the drive because the connection will start dripping drive oil (there's a little spring-loaded check valve #24 below... that you can push). If it's plugged, oil won't flow out when you press on it.......

Even if it flows oil, you should STILL empty and flush out the reservoir and associated hoses when you change the drive oil........Especially if you think the oil is contaminated.



Cheers,


Rick

 

[rocklydockly]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

Thanks for the reply. So I'm thinking the check valve is stuck. I didn't mention in the original post, drive oil was black, no streaks, no apparent water intrusion. I hate to have the drive pulled for a stuck check valve. Any danger to upping the air psi on the reservoir hose trying to loosen the stuck valve? or squirting some gasoline as a solvent down the hose?

Not trying to ignore good advice, but pulling the drive is beyond my capabilities.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

Well,


The problem is, if the line is plugged down at the drive, there's no way to clear it unless you remove it. I wouldn't want to try to push any solvent down into the drive trying to clear the hose. It also might be that valve (#24) that is plugged.....


It's not hard to remove the drive. 6 nuts and the trim cyls thru-bolt. You'll need Service manual #11

You might also want a helper.... The drive is pretty heavy.


Was the drive pulled last year when you winterized? If it wasn't, it should probably be pulled anyway so the U-joints, bellows, and alignment can be checked too

You absolutely want everything about that reservoir and drive lube monitor to be working correctly.....


The downside of not fixing this is if you are leaking a small amount of fluid and it doesn't drain out of the reservoir, you won't know when the drive is low on oil until it seizes.








If that happens it won't be cheap.

 

[striker3636]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

When I cleaned out my reservoir this year it was full of thick goo at the bottom that I'm surprised hadnt plugged my lines. What about running a thick wire down the reservoir line as far as you can, like maybe a coat hanger to see if there's a blockage? You may end up needing to pull the drive, and like the other poster said, it's pretty easy to do, just need a gasket kit to put it back together and a helper to lift the drive off. Don't forget to put the boat in forward gear if you do this before taking the drive off.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

Merc's gear lube sludges up in the bottom of the bottle. The "plug" is usually there. Take the bottle off and clean it out real good with a solvent. I doubt the line is actually plugged.
Fill from the bottom, then when it comes out the top vent on the drive, screw it back in. With the reservoir lid off, keep filling until the level in the bottle rises to where it's supposed to be. (A second person is handy here). Then disconnect the filler and plug the bottom. Then top of the reservoir bottle for the amount that runs out before you get the bottom plug in.

 

[rocklydockly]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

The reservoir looked like it had chocolate pudding in the bottom of it. I cleaned it out thoroughly. ( I took it completely apart, when reassembling I installed the float with the metal closest to the sensor, is that correct?)

Tell me about the purpose of the check valve. If it exists to keep the reservoir from pouring on to the ground when the drive is removed, how does the fluid top-off the drive under operating conditions? Another way to ask the question is which way does the check valve work? I have put mild air pressure with a bike pump from the reservoir line toward the drive and from the vent or drain plug back up to the reservoir, (with the other plug in) no flow in either case.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

Another way to ask the question is which way does the check valve work?

Ayuh,...With the drive installed,... It's Open....
Remove the drive, it closes...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

Ayuh,...With the drive installed,... It's Open....
Remove the drive, it closes...

Yep, there's a little "nipple" on the drive that pushes in a check ball on the gimbal housing. A little leaks out everytime you remove and install the drive, too.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

Yep, there's a little "nipple" on the drive that pushes in a check ball on the gimbal housing. A little leaks out everytime you remove and install the drive, too.

You know I thought it was the other way...... can't remember

But, pull the drive away from the gimbal an inch or so and you can easily check the "flow" of oil through the hose......

 

[rocklydockly]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

How heavy is the bravo 3 drive? I am fairly handy in the shade tree mechanic way. Maybe I will attempt an r/r of the drive. Is alignment tool a must?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

They weigh about 100 lbs or so.

You should always check the alignment if you have the drive off.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

How heavy is the bravo 3 drive? I am fairly handy in the shade tree mechanic way. Maybe I will attempt an r/r of the drive. Is alignment tool a must?

153 pounds. A second person is a good thing.

No it's not a "must", but it a great idea if you have any reason to doubt that the alignment is correct.

HT, you're right, the plastic nipple thuing is on the gimbal, the ball check is in the drive, I forgot temporarily.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

I actually weighed my King Cobra and it came in at about 110lbs.

I didn't think the "III" weighed so much more! I'm going to weigh it when I pull it this time! (I do believe you though!!)

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

That weight is with the props on, I think. It's been 5 years since I weighed mine, but it was 153, just can't remember is that was with or without props. Either way, it's HEAVY and AWKWARD for one person. But I've removed one a minimum of 8 times without any help. And only "dropped" it once!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo 3 Gear Lube - Reservoir Line Plugged?

Not on your foot I hope!!!!!