Some possible water in my outdrive and the outdrive was making that clacking noise again. Pics and Videos Enclosed.

1985 Century Mustang

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Mar 9, 2023
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I'm getting and erratic clanking coming from my sterndrive ( Merc A1-G1 140HP 1985) When I opened the top cap to the drive hot, (top photo) I thought what appeared to be water and metal, I didn't feel any metal, I guess it was just water and suds etc.. When it cooled down, (photo 2 and 3) the gear oil looked pretty good.
Does the gear oil look normal?

Anyways here are some photos and videos of the sterndrive noise, again it's erratic. Question being, how does water enter a Sterndrive, I'm going to have to address it. Thanks, please elaborate.

20230711_132740.jpg20230711_132755.jpg20230711_141804.jpg
 
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1985 Century Mustang

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Mar 9, 2023
Messages
526
Here's the sound I'm getting. In neutral and in gear. After I topped off the drive gear oil, the noise stopped. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

A lot of clanking.

Drive in neutral, obviously no clanking.

Less Clanking.

No clanking after topping the gear oil from the top cap of the outdrive. It actually sounds great. I dont get it.
 
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Bondo

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Ayuh,.... The sound, sounds like the dog-clutch dragging,....
 

Dubed

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Stupid question... it wasnt your prop hitting the zinc was it?
 

Scott06

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Unless the upper bearings are bad ( cant tell from pics) which would wear is lube was low, willing to bet the internittent
Ayuh,.... The sound, sounds like the dog-clutch dragging,....
my thought as well
 

Pmt133

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Jan 6, 2022
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571
One thing I noticed... you have the drive at a different level of trim (further down) when the noise stopped...
 

Bt Doctur

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Aug 29, 2004
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19,291
usually noise in gear is from a broken tooth or two in the lower unit
 
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