Gear lube leak on Lower SX Drive Housing. 2006 VP 5.7 GXI -E

[westman423]

I found a lube leak this evening on my SX Drive lower housing. I am attaching a couple of pics to see if anyone can give a suggestion of what is wrong before I take it in for repair; is it a simple or complex and expensive repair? The boat is running well. I have for some time heard not really a "rattle" but similar sound, which is impossible to describe in writing, only when the engine is at temp and only in neutral. Several friends say I am crazy and don't hear anything abnormal, but always afraid of damage. I have had some engine temp problems but I think I have narrowed it down to the temp sending unit as infrared thermometer found engine to have a max temp of 165, but that would be another topic unless there could be some correlation to the temp and gear oil leak.
Thanks in advance!

 

[dypcdiver]

That is a raw water drain, with no direct connection to the drive lubricant. They get blocked with mud and general debris. Use a hose to back flush it a few times and it should clear.

 

[bruceb58]

If you are getting lube leaking out that hole, you need to have a pressure check done to find out where your leak is.

 

[westman423]

Dypcdiver, Could gear lube be coming out here? Bruce58, That is what I was thinking but not knowing much about drives can be costly when going to a repair shop. Go in with a little knowledge might save some useless repair. Thank you both.

 

[bruceb58]

Gear lube can absolutely come out of there.

 

[dypcdiver]

Remove your horseshoe anode and have a look down the hole. That is the same chamber that drains from that hole. It is almost impossible to get a leak of lube oil in there. Only if "O" rings 15 &16 have failed in service and that would be obvious as soon as you remove the anode.
Why not check your levels in the leg by removing the level plug?
See here http://www.volvopentashop.com/Nauti...dTransmissions/7746010/7746010_44/7746010_011

 

[westman423]

Thank you guys again! The boat unfortunately is on a lift and a ***** to get back there to do anything with it. I have a small john boat but can't keep that thing still. I am going to check the gear lube level as I have done that before I have an apt at a mechanic on Saturday morning. Probably about a mile downstream so going to try to get it there. Spent money on a lift instead of a trailer. Probably not a good idea!

 

[westman423]

Sort of embarrassed here, I was able to get close enough to the outdrive last night by laying on the swim deck and looking at the "leak" up close, this is old rusted drainage. The 7 o'clock position actually has a rough texture like rust. I had the boat docked at a marine on a river that had huge amount of natural river trash. I think gunk plugged up the drain port and finally drained this water out. I am hoping that the inside of the lower unit is not rusted as bad. I am still going to take the boat in Saturday to have some routine maintenance done. I wish I had a trailer to do it myself, but can't afford at this time. The lube drain plug is just inches from water surface, so draining and refilling on the lift is not an option.
If you guys were close by, I'd buy you a beer for helping me!
Thanks

 

[bruceb58]

I had an OMC Cobra that had oil draining out of that hole so it can happen. I sold the boat before I had a chance to fix it.