Why does my intermediate housing gear lube look like coffee?

[Manipulator]

OMC 800 1983. Well, I thought I was getting gear lube in the bilge. I checked the level in the intermediate housing and it was fine, only thing is, it don't look fine and looks like coffee. I assume water is getting in but where? <br /><br />I don't see any water in there, just the coffee color. What if I just flushed the intermediate housing once a month and added fresh fluid during the months of operation?

 

[KaGee]

Re: Why does my intermediate housing gear lube look like coffee?

You have a worn seal behind the ball gear. Frequent oil changes will just put off the inevitable.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Why does my intermediate housing gear lube look like coffee?

Mine went like that - and smelled burnt like a gearcase does with inboard brakes... I changed it, using regular OMC gear lube, and it has been fine since.. I had used the synthetic OMC gear lube last time... maybe it's not good in there...

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Why does my intermediate housing gear lube look like coffee?

Looks like this can be done without a whole lot of work??? Do I need a puller or anything like that? Is there more than one seal behind the ball gear? Looks to me like there is just a large o-ring but this diagram shows quite a few seals.<br /><br />#9,#10,#11 Are these the seals you are talking about? Do they sell a kit that does not include the ball gears?<br /><br /> http://www.sterndrive.info/id12.html

 

[KaGee]

Re: Why does my intermediate housing gear lube look like coffee?

Yes, 9, 10 and 11 are correct. <br /><br />You have to remove the four cap bolts, then pull the shaft with the bearing cup. Hopefully the shaft pulls out from the coupler without difficulty. Then remove the ball gear from the shaft. The bearing cap with outer seals will then slide off of the shaft. Be careful and you can reuse the shims.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Why does my intermediate housing gear lube look like coffee?

Thanks Keith!

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Why does my intermediate housing gear lube look like coffee?

Oh yeah, where can I get a seal kit for this without having to buy the ball gears too?