Milky Outdrive Oil

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misslulu

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I have a 1990 Donzi Levante 300 with twin 5.7 OMC/Cobra's, 220 hrs on each engine. When I winterized the boat last fall I had the dreaded milky oil in the starboard outdrive. This is the first time I've encountered this ever. A little history, last summer I checked the oil level and noticed the plastic (or Nylon) dipstick gasket was broken so I replaced it with the part number listed for a 1990 OMC cobra, which was an o-ring. Well, when I found the milky oil I also found that the dipstick was loose due to the o-ring. So, I suspect this was the culprit. I want the flush out the milky oil prior to pressure checking and if no problem is found, refilling it. Can I remove the top housing cover, remove lower drain plug, and flush with either diesel fuel or some other fluid prior to refilling with oil. I would also replace the cover o-ring, and the dipstick o-ring with a different gasket.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

What is your complete model number? Just because you have a 1990 boat doesn't mean you have a 90 drive. For example, the 89 drive uses a washer and the 90 uses an o-ring.
 
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misslulu

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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

Model number of the outdrive? I'm not sure. One is standard rotation and one is counter rotation. Both drives had the washers on the dipsticks and they could be 89 models.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

misslulu said:
Model number of the outdrive? I'm not sure. One is standard rotation and one is counter rotation. Both drives had the washers on the dipsticks and they could be 89 models.
Click to expand...
You need to check.
 
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misslulu

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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

Since I have to take the boat by water to a marina for haul out (boat is 10,000 lb and 11' beam) which is about a 35 minute run, can I remove the top housing cover and lower drain plug and flush out the milky oil. Then re-install with new o-ring/cover/plugs/gaskets,etc refill with fresh oil, then take it to the marina and let them do a thorough check of the out drive.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

misslulu said:
Since I have to take the boat by water to a marina for haul out (boat is 10,000 lb and 11' beam) which is about a 35 minute run, can I remove the top housing cover and lower drain plug and flush out the milky oil. Then re-install with new o-ring/cover/plugs/gaskets,etc refill with fresh oil, then take it to the marina and let them do a thorough check of the out drive.
Click to expand...
Not sure I understand. Is the boat going to be in or out of the water when you change the oil? Will this be after or before the 35 minute run?

I wouldn't run it one bit with milky oil.
When was the last time the drives were pulled?
On the drive with the milky oil, I would have the marina or you do a pressure test just to make sure you don't have a seal leaking somewhere before I bothered doing the flush.
 
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misslulu

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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

The drives were pulled in 2012 for routine maintenance. At that time all of the boots/water pumps were replaced, everything else checked out good, psi test included. We run the boat about six weekends per year and it is kept lifted out in a covered slip. Last December when I winterized the boat I found the dip stick wasn't tight which allowed water to enter the drive. I drained the milky oil and since it was late November I refilled it to keep it from rusting over the winter months. This spring I will need to flush out the drive properly, because I didn't have time or enough oil to do it last November. I would like to flush the drive, install fresh oil, then drive it to the marina for them to haul it out and service the drive. I was trying to think of the best way to flush out the contaminated oil other than simply putting oil in until it is clear at the dip stick.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

OK..got it. You are able to flush while on your lift.

Sounds good to me flushing it. Not sure if you need to take the top of the drive off.

When you fill the drive, make sure you fill from the middle hole.
 
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misslulu

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Nov 11, 2003
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Re: Milky Outdrive Oil

Thanks very much. This should probably be a new thread but have you ever replaced the grease extension tubes? I have new tubes but not sure how to replace them. Do they press in with some type of adhesive?
 
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