Still not back to Fuggly, but getting closer. I have been studying the service manual and I am wondering if the leak might be above the engine. Haven't looked yet, there are several return hoses that go to the reverse lockout valve and hydraulic trim sending unit that are accessible from the top. I didn't replace these lines since they looked like pretty much no pressure lines. I think they are a nylon air line type plastic tubing. That was the other reason I didn't replace them, I wasn't sure what the spec on the line is. If someone knows, please point me in the right direction.
Anyhow, after reading the testing section, sounds like they can be under several hundred pounds of pressure. Also if pressure is lost in that part of the system it will keep the reverse lockout valve from working. I need to study it more (meaning with a cup off coffee, not a beer
), but as I am understanding it, the reverse lock out keeps the drive from pivoting up and loosing thrust while in reverse. I may have that wrong, but I think that is right. I do remember that reverse didn't work very well the few times I used it. I am wondering if something in that area bought the farm and puked out the fluid. Hopefully I can spend some time soon trying to sort it out.....summer is coming!