storing outdrive?

[sry8631]

After this season I drained the lower unit and it had some water in it. Not much money right know, I wondered if it would be alright to leave the lower unit sit empty this winter,or if I should put gear lube back in it till I get the funds to pressure test and fix? Lower unit still on boat. (Merc.) Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Bondo]

Re: storing outdrive?

Ayuh,... Leaving it sounds like the perfect recipe for rust pitted gears, 'n bearings to me...

 

[erie_guy]

Re: storing outdrive?

Last season one of my drives overheated and turned the oil a dark color. Concerned I had the drive serviced {took a week} at a local shop for about $100.

They pressure checked it, looked for leaks, and changed the oil. My other drive I personally serviced this fall and it only took a couple of quarts of marine gear oil and about 45 minutes to drain and refill it. If this keeps the internals from corroding I say make the investment now and do a full leak and pressure test next spring.

 

[ziggy]

Re: storing outdrive?

the fix could be expensive. but the pressure test don't have to be.

check out #8 http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430

my tester is post #7. that tester i made i used the end off the gear lub pump + it's hose. a t i had around, some used hose i had around and a old tire stem i had around. had to shave the rubber off the tire stem. the clamps i might have had to buy a couple of them and the gauge i had around too. only one i had that went to zero and up. the chineeze foot pump i did have to buy. $10 from best recollection. piece of garbage. only lasted one year. 2nd year i went to test and man she was leaking some air. turned out to be the pump hose. if ya hold it just right it'll still pump up a drive. the tire stem works good for my leaky pump too as the valve is still in place, so whatever i can pump into it, stays there till i release the valve. not to pretty, but does work.. good luck. i hear the no funds thing..

i'd store it with some lub in it too. bare metal can rust.

that's from when i went for the ft. seal of the drive. i think that's the driven gear, don't matter, ya can see the lub still in place + the rust.. ain't been exposed to air to long either... days, weeks??? certainly not all winter..

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: storing outdrive?

Oil is CHEAP compared to new gears&bearings, by all means refill it for the winter...

 

[sry8631]

Re: storing outdrive?

Thanks guys. I will refill for winter. My uncle told me he use to leave his empty for winter, thats why I asked. Might explain why his boats are always out of service.How bad is to replace seals? Never had one apart. Out of town for work this week might take awhile to respond. Thanks again.

 

[JBF 1962]

Re: storing outdrive?

Service manual is an invaluable tool and can save you tons o dough. and yeah, never leave them without lube.

 

[ziggy]

Re: storing outdrive?

.How bad is to replace seals?

pretty major. ya gotta have the right tools. oem tools of course. $$$$.... specialty one purpose only tools even. i did the ft. seal of my drive. labor intensive, better do it right the first time. it was fun but with the advent of the sei drive. tearing into a alpha1 type drive for major repairs may be obsolete.. imho..

if yer gonna work on yer drive. a oem service manual is a must have tool.

 

[sry8631]

Re: storing outdrive?

Thanks for info guys. I think I will have have a pro fix it if its not to much. It might get more expensive if I try it. Even though I like to try to learn myself, better wait till I know more about them. Thanks

 

[Windykid]

Re: storing outdrive?

Pay me now or pay me more later comes to mind