Drive Oil out Weephole

[rather_be_boatin]

Hello, I have an Alpha 1 (on a 99 Maxum 2400SCR 5.0 2bbl) and I just had the drive professionally serviced upon blowing an input shaft seal, got it back and noticed a drive oil leak down the skeg, brought it back and they did a seal kit (gratis this time), got it back and it seemed fine until the 1st time I took it out and put about 6 hours on it and now I have another drive oil leak down the skeg coming from a weep hole just under the flange where the 2 halves of the drive bolt together. (anti-cavatation plate?) The resevior was slightly overfilled but did not leak until she got some use. My question, is this normal at all (in trailer position, I am a trailer sailor)? Or will this be trip #3 to the repair shop. ($100 in gas to trailer both ways) The resevior is about 1/3" under the "full" line. I wiped the skeg clean and it still seems to come back. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Drive Oil out Weephole

you may want to find another shop - they obviously arent pressure testing their work

it stinks i know but i would call the original shop and tell them what is going on, and if they wont pay to have a reputble shop do the work - threaten with lawyer talk

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Drive Oil out Weephole

I guess I'm confused. Is the oil coming out of the weep hole, or coming out up where the two halves separate (near cavitation plate)? Could be a simply quad-ring seal which can be replaced in minutes. If it is coming out of the weephole, I would be looking at shift shaft seal/etc.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Drive Oil out Weephole

you may want to find another shop - they obviously arent pressure testing their work

to me, that seems like the crux of the situation. pressure testing the drive imho is a real good idea.
1. it lets ya know if it 'is' sealed
2. if it's not sealed, it leads ya to where the leak is.

fwiw. i pressure test my drive at least twice a year. once prior to taking the drive apart for yearly impeller inspection/replacement and once after i'm done. after i've had the upper and lower separated to be sure i'm not leaking after service.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive Oil out Weephole

Have you called the shop? Personally, I have pressure tested drives before after major work, and they were fine, only to have them do exactly what yours did after it sat for a while not used. On the Gen II drives, it could be the plastic shift shaft carrier seals, or the plastic oil seal carrier under the raw water pump, they go bad all the time for no reason.
The only way to find out is to drain the oil and pressure test the drive.

Shops can make mistakes, it's how they take care of the problem that counts. It's also not their fault you live so far away.