gear lube loss without water getting in?

[peterdemerc]

Just bought a 1999 8hp yamaha. before purchasing I checked the gear lube by draining a few drops out the lower drain plug. lube looked fine. when I got it home and did a complete drain of lower unit, there was hardly any lube in it? What lube there was was water free. Can a lower unit loose lube without letting water in?

 

[jeffersondodson561]

Re: gear lube loss without water getting in?

Are their 2 gearcase screws? If so the upper needs to be open too. This allows you to drain completely.

 

[robert graham]

Re: gear lube loss without water getting in?

I've read on here that gear lube can be sucked right up and out of the lower unit by the water pump if a seal directly under the pump has gone bad. Sounds like what you have, so maybe time to replace the water pump impeller and those seals and O-ring. Good Luck!