Bravo 3 Oil Leak - Oh No !!!

[dubs283]

Additionally, the outdrive o-rings were held in with bellows adhesive in an excessive fashion and allowed to dry, which apparently made the mating surfaces uneven, probably contributing to the oil seepage that I observed at the bell housing.

This has been the cause for oil and water leaks for me in the past. Not often but it does happen.

The idea is that bellows adhesive be used sparingly to only hold the o rings in place during drive install. The o rings, when seated in the shouldered areas do the sealing, excess adhesive diminishes the ability for sealing.

Clean all the excess adhesive and apply the least amount, like a drop in the corners, of adhesive when re installing the drives

 

[Lou C]

Are these the o rings for the transom mount joint or the on the driveshaft?
I use a bit of OMC triple guard grease to hold that irregularity shaped o ring on the Cobra in place on the transom mount (same thing as a Volvo SX) when re-installing the drive.

 

[tpenfield]

Are these the o rings for the transom mount joint or the on the driveshaft?
I use a bit of OMC triple guard grease to hold that irregularity shaped o ring on the Cobra in place on the transom mount (same thing as a Volvo SX) when re-installing the drive.

The mating surface of outdrive to bell housing. . . only 2 of the 3 are actually round. The 3rd is the shape of the water passage.

I cleaned everything up yesterday (muttering under my breath) and have used my special tube of Bondo's Any Grease to hold the o-rings in place during assembly, as per my normal procedure. It should make a more perfect seal.

I do suppose I should pull the outdrives on a regular basis to check for water/oil in the bellows

 

[dubs283]

I do suppose I should pull the outdrives on a regular basis to check for water/oil in the bellows

Recommend interval is 50-100 hrs or every season per merc. More often for high use, commercial or extended low rpm uses. Inspect bellows for wear/water intrusion, gimbal bearing, engine alignment, coupler wear and grease.

As stated above, I also use a dollop of grease with a long screwdriver to ensure proper coupler lubrication

 

[Lou C]

I would always pull the drive each season in salt water. Buying a good drive jack was SO worth the money for the fall/spring R&R.
I recall reading somewhere that newer Volvo drives had some type of water sensor in the bellows, I wonder how well this works? If it did work well it could be a great help to I/O owners.

 

[tpenfield]

Thanks for the comments guys.

I was able to get my handy inspection camera (borescope) into the cavern behind the bell housing. The oil tube appears to be inserted into the barb fitting its full length, with maybe a wee bit of brass (fitting) showing. So, it is on there pretty good, just not clamp that I can see.

Of course, I need to turn the gimbal ring to port in order to get a better view/access. The boat has the electronic steering (Axis) and I am not sure how the steering can be 'manually' turned, like old school steering.

I'd hate to have to start the engine(s) just to steer the outdrive (gimbal actually) to port and then again to starboard.

TIA, for any thoughts on manual steering (might be in the Owner's Manual somewhere, but if anyone knows - TIA )

 

[tpenfield]

Since the oil tube looked OK attachment-wise and I could not see any other issues, I installed the outdrive.

Not being a mechanic or anything . . . so not exactly sure. . . but I put the outdrive that is marked 'Port' on the port side and the one marked 'Stbd' will go on the starboard side

Anyway, my plan is to keep an eye on the gear oil level and pull the boat if there appears to be an issue. Having a trailer, it will be an easy(er) thing to do if needed.

 

[tpenfield]

The outdrives are back on, all buttoned up.
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One thing I noticed is that the prop sets are 4/3 blade (24 pitch). My other boat was 3/3 blade (26 pitch).
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@alldodge , If I recall, you might have gone with a 4 blade set on your 27PC

 

[alldodge]

@alldodge , If I recall, you might have gone with a 4 blade set on your 27PC

Yes I did but mine were 4x4 from Hill Marine
Don't know who came up with the 4x3 first, but Merc calls them the XR series

 

[tpenfield]

Fingers crossed on the oil leak . . .

The boat is getting to to launch day.


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As I put the props on, I was thinking about the typical 'indexing' that you do with the 3-blade sets. Not sure it is even a thing with a 3/4 set.

 

[nola mike]

When reading about your port/std markings, was wondering if the b3 twins counter rotate, or if the 2 props make that unnecessary

 

[Scott06]

When reading about your port/std markings, was wondering if the b3 twins counter rotate, or if the 2 props make that unnecessary

the prop sets show both drive rotate the same direction

 

[nola mike]

the prop sets show both drive rotate the same direction

Makes sense, but never thought about it in the case of twins.