Lower gearcase on 2005 f150

[Jacksorbetter]

I just checked the gearcase oil level and it is EMPTY!!! The prop turns smoothly and seems to be fine. WTH. I've had no issues and I do yearly maint. Must have been a very slow leak!?? What should I be aware of/ looking for besides just refilling? Any comments besides the obvious, check it more often. I put about 100 hours a year on it in salt water over 3 months. thanks

 

[racerone]

Take it apart for inspection.----Was there water in it ?-----Install a seal kit if all gears / bearings survived this event.

 

[99yam40]

pressure test it to find where and how bad it leaks.
hard to believe all the lube leaked out and it was not also full of water

 

[Jacksorbetter]

Take it apart for inspection.----Was there water in it ?-----Install a seal kit if all gears / bearings survived this event.

There was no water in it. Very strange.

 

[99yam40]

There was no water in it. Very strange.

may be like a friend that drained his lower but did not have the lube to put back in.
thought he would pick up some next time in town and then forgot all about draining it

 

[Jacksorbetter]

may be like a friend that drained his lower but did not have the lube to put back in.
thought he would pick up some next time in town and then forgot all about draining it

Ahh no. I still have the almost empty qt of lube and the pump that I bought and used.

 

[mike_i]

Did you replace both of the washers when you change the oil?

 

[stresspoint]

?any sign of oil slick on the water after a run .

unknown enemies that would drain it out of vengeance..

what i am saying is that much oil over 100 hours would leave some trace of the leakage., being gear oil it does not disperses quickly in water as engine oil ,so there would be some trace or slick at some point.
i would refill and pay attention to where the leak is.

 

[racerone]

If it was run with no oil it needs to come apart for inspection.----I sold a gearcase years ago to some folks that drained the gearcase in the fall.----Forgot to fill it in spring.----Gearcase locked up after 15 minutes !-----They were happy to pay for their mistake.

 

[Jacksorbetter]

update. pressure test proved the shaft seals to be bad..replacing those as well as the water pump impellar, seals, etc. as long as I have it disassembled. I ran some light weight oil through the unit and did not see evidence of metal shavings......so......I'll get everything back together (and lubed) after I get the new waterpump housing and hope for the best. I won't be able to get it in the water until about 1/14.

 

[mike_i]

sounds like you're making good progress. hopefully you found the problem.

update. pressure test proved the shaft seals to be bad..replacing those as well as the water pump impellar, seals, etc. as long as I have it disassembled. I ran some light weight oil through the unit and did not see evidence of metal shavings......so......I'll get everything back together (and lubed) after I get the new waterpump housing and hope for the best. I won't be able to get it in the water until about 1/14.

 

[99yam40]

which shaft seals are you talking about?
drive shaft or prop shaft?

I still cannot understand how all the lube could be gone and the gear case was not full of water