Hello, new to the forum, did some searching and couldn't find my specific situation.
I am the 3rd owner of a 2003 Crownline 180 bowrider with a mercruiser 4.3 engine, alpha one gen 2 sterndrive. Previous owner i know well, told me the boat usually uses /loses 1qt. of lube oil during the season, he thought it was a loose fitting.
I've had the boat out twice for about 6 hours total and have used over a qt. of gear lube.
I am newer to working on boats but have worked on engines my whole life.I fix things for a living.
I got the Alpha one Gen 2 service manual to familiarize myself with the outdrive.
The reservoir is not leaking, the line from the reservoir to the 90 degree swivel is dry and not leaking, i see no oil around the swivel connector, so it is clicked on, I don't really see oil anywhere but in the bilge.
After doing some reading I thought it was an oil seal on the driveshaft.
We took the sterndrive off today following the manual. I expected to see oil of something in the ujoint shaft cavity or bellow, but it is clean, except for some grease. Bellows were changed 3 years ago. no rust no oil in there...
so now I am at a loss. how is this oil getting back into the bilge?
it is gear lube, that is the only fluid i am losing, and it is bluish green..
I can post pics tomorrow if needed of what I am seeing, but does anyone have any ideas.
I believe it is only doing it under power, and I see no oil sheen on the water when I park it, just when I trailer it home and pull my drain plug..
Sorry this is long winded but just wanted to give some history and where I am at with the disassembly
Thank you
I am the 3rd owner of a 2003 Crownline 180 bowrider with a mercruiser 4.3 engine, alpha one gen 2 sterndrive. Previous owner i know well, told me the boat usually uses /loses 1qt. of lube oil during the season, he thought it was a loose fitting.
I've had the boat out twice for about 6 hours total and have used over a qt. of gear lube.
I am newer to working on boats but have worked on engines my whole life.I fix things for a living.
I got the Alpha one Gen 2 service manual to familiarize myself with the outdrive.
The reservoir is not leaking, the line from the reservoir to the 90 degree swivel is dry and not leaking, i see no oil around the swivel connector, so it is clicked on, I don't really see oil anywhere but in the bilge.
After doing some reading I thought it was an oil seal on the driveshaft.
We took the sterndrive off today following the manual. I expected to see oil of something in the ujoint shaft cavity or bellow, but it is clean, except for some grease. Bellows were changed 3 years ago. no rust no oil in there...
so now I am at a loss. how is this oil getting back into the bilge?
it is gear lube, that is the only fluid i am losing, and it is bluish green..
I can post pics tomorrow if needed of what I am seeing, but does anyone have any ideas.
I believe it is only doing it under power, and I see no oil sheen on the water when I park it, just when I trailer it home and pull my drain plug..
Sorry this is long winded but just wanted to give some history and where I am at with the disassembly
Thank you