Leaking gear oil and dying when shifting issue (related??)

[billfred]

I have an 87 SeaRay MerCruiser 4.3L. I have a oil leaking from the lower unit weep hole. The boat has been sitting all winter in the garage with the outdrive in the down position.
I?ve researched this and plan on taking the bottom half of the lower housing off and trying to figure out how it is leaking, hopefully just replacing the shift shaft seal.

I?ve also been having problems with the engine dying when I shift from drive into neutral and vice versa. I?ve tried to adjust some things, but no luck.

My question is, could these two things be related? Also, while I?ve got the lower half off the outdrive, is there anything I can do to diagnose the dying when shifting issue?

I?m pretty mechanical, just not much experience with boats.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Leaking gear oil and dying when shifting issue (related??)

My question is, could these two things be related? Also, while I’ve got the lower half off the outdrive, is there anything I can do to diagnose the dying when shifting issue?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Pull the Whole drive, insteada Just the lower unit...

The cable is Above the lower unit...

 

[Don S]

Re: Leaking gear oil and dying when shifting issue (related??)

I’ve researched this and plan on taking the bottom half of the lower housing off and trying to figure out how it is leaking, hopefully just replacing the shift shaft seal.

Not sure how you researched it, but after you remove the drive, you drain all the gear lube out and then pressure check the drive to about 15 psi, then using a spray bottle of soapy water spray everything. The leak will blow bubbles and show you what's leaking.

The reason it dies is probably a defective shift cable. very common problem. This will explain why the cable could cause your problem.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1930449#post1930449

 

[billfred]

Re: Leaking gear oil and dying when shifting issue (related??)

Any idea how much a shop would charge me for these repairs? I could probably do it myself, but not sure if I want to spend the time.

The lower unit job sounds OK, but pulling the entire outdrive and messing with replacing that cable sounds like a PITA.

 

[billfred]

Re: Leaking gear oil and dying when shifting issue (related??)

How do you pressure check? Is there a tool? Where?

 

[Don S]

Re: Leaking gear oil and dying when shifting issue (related??)

Call your local shop and ask them. 2-4 hours depending on access, corrosion, and what ever else they may find, and if that is actually the problem or not.

It's impossible to say on the drive until it's pressure checked.

Look at the stickies at the top of this forum, lots of your questions can be answered there.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Leaking gear oil and dying when shifting issue (related??)

How do you pressure check? Is there a tool? Where?

Ayuh,.... Call yer local Marina,....

If ya don't wanta do the Cable, there's no way yer capable to fix a drive leak.....
It probably is gonna take several Specialized tools, includin' a pressure tester...