Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

[CommanderData]

Recently, my sterndrive has started to leak gear oil and is making a small mess on my driveway. It leaks about 1 oz per week, comes out from the prop outlet, and seems to be very slowly getting worse (faster). I left it alone for a long time (did not use the boat) and it finally stopped leaking. I went to use the boat recently so I checked & filled the stern - it took about 24 oz to fill back up, and has begun leaking again. The capacity of the drive is about 2 and 1/4 quarts (71oz). Thus, I believe that the leak is somewhere high-up, leaks about 24 oz down to the bad seal, then everything below that is good.
First, if anybody is familiar with the internals that can, with the limited info I've provided, tell me what the suspect part may be, that would be great.
Second and more importantly, can somebody refer me to a quality technician in SoCal (LA area) who wont' "take me to the cleaners" for rebuild?

PS: I've currently got only 192 hours total on the boat.
Thanks.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

It could be several different seals leaking.
The drive needs pulled and pressure tested.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

Where in SoCal are you? Pretty big area.

If it were my drive, I would pressure test the drive to determine where the leak is. It sounds like its around your prop shaft but you need to do the test to see what else may be leaking.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

If you found a leak you SHOULD NOT RUN IT...

If you get water in there or run it out of oil you get more than just taken to the cleaners. You will be looking for another outdrive. Your outdrive needs to be drained and pressure tested to find the leak. These drives are not sealed up with paper gaskets and they are not expected to leak...EVER.

Do not use the boat until this is fixed or you will turn a simple seal replacement into an outdrive replacement...

BTW Welcome to iboats...

 

[sethjon]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

Recently, my sterndrive has started to leak gear oil and is making a small mess on my driveway. It leaks about 1 oz per week, comes out from the prop outlet, and seems to be very slowly getting worse (faster). I left it alone for a long time (did not use the boat) and it finally stopped leaking. I went to use the boat recently so I checked & filled the stern - it took about 24 oz to fill back up, and has begun leaking again. The capacity of the drive is about 2 and 1/4 quarts (71oz). Thus, I believe that the leak is somewhere high-up, leaks about 24 oz down to the bad seal, then everything below that is good.
First, if anybody is familiar with the internals that can, with the limited info I've provided, tell me what the suspect part may be, that would be great.
Second and more importantly, can somebody refer me to a quality technician in SoCal (LA area) who wont' "take me to the cleaners" for rebuild?

PS: I've currently got only 192 hours total on the boat.
Thanks.

I live in Riverside and I know someone really good in Corona. Prices will definitely be better than the LA area. Corona boat Repair

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

http://mercstuff.com/fiche.htm
good pics here

 

[wanna-be]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

when i discoevered a od leak a few weeks ago, i drained some oil and found water in the oil. pulled the prop and found fish line. then dropped lower unit and found impeller needed replacing along w/carrier seals and oil seals. then i pulled the entire unit and found water in bellows. $1000 later everything is air tight, runs smooth. amazing what a little oil leak can reveal.

 

[CommanderData]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

Thanks for the replies. Sterndrive will be removed B4 the boat touches water again. I live in the SF valley area but don't mind driving for quality work. Will contact Corona Boat Repair.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Sterndrive gear oil on driveway

"The Anchor" in Reseda used to be good but it has been awhile since I had anything repaired by them.