Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

[newboater697]

Here I go,
I just realized that I took out the pivot pin in the lower gear case housing instead of the oil drain screw when changing the gear case (lower unit) oil . I was out in the boat today and after I put it back on the trailer i noticed a milky colored substance leaking from the front screw (1 of the 6 or 7 screws) securing the lower gear case housing to the upper gear case housing.

I know this means that water is getting into the gear case but not sure what to do next.
Do I need to change a gasket or set of gaskets inside the gear case now or what do I need to do?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

check the oil in gear case. did you use new seal on the drain and vent plugs? i would change oil, and try it again, if it is still milky, have the lower pressure tested to see where it is leaking, the reseal.

 

[newboater697]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

I will check the oil in the lower unit. It is not leaking from the drain or fill plugs though.

It is leaking from a screw on the lower gear case where the lower gear case attaches to the upper gear case of the lower unit. There are about 6 or 7 of these little screws holding the gear case together.

Thanks

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

Pull and pressure test your lower unit...that will show where any leaks are. Sounds like the sphagetti seal on you LU is shot/gone.

 

[newboater697]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

I took the gear oil out and it was a milky color like i figured. I sealed both fill holes, the pivot pin hole, and the front screw on the lower gear case cover. I took the boat out tonight and didn't see any leaks like before but there was still a milky color coming out of the drainage hole on the upper gear case housing so I figure there is still a leak but I will check the gear oil again in the next day or two and see.

 

[newboater697]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

Could it be anything else if it isn't the spaghetti seal? I haven't checked the gear oil yet but just wondering.

 

[asdasc]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

If it is coming from the water drain hole, it is most likely just unburned oil in the gas accumulating , then dripping when it has a chance.

Don't worry, Be happy.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

I took the gear oil out and it was a milky color like i figured. I sealed both fill holes, the pivot pin hole, and the front screw on the lower gear case cover. I took the boat out tonight and didn't see any leaks like before but there was still a milky color coming out of the drainage hole on the upper gear case housing so I figure there is still a leak but I will check the gear oil again in the next day or two and see.

There is a small 1/16 inch diameter hole which is a drain hole - you should see water/oil draining there. Also, water/oil will drain from the large exhaust relief port once the engine is stopped. These holes aren't connected to the gearcase. Also, the screws which hold the split lower unit together don't go into the gearcase and won't leak oil - it is the spaghetti seal which goes bad and leaks.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

... Also, the screws which hold the split lower unit together don't go into the gearcase and won't leak oil - it is the spaghetti seal which goes bad and leaks.

Lindy,
the spaghetti seal groove on those split gearcases is a strange design. When I took mine apart, I couldn't believe the spaghetti actually runs around the perimeter of the gearcase, not sealing around the screw holes. So the sealer can fail on the screw holes and cause a leak.

 

[newboater697]

Re: Late 1960 33hp SkiTwin Gear Oil Leak

Thanks for all the replies! I took the boat out again tonight and didn't notice anymore leaks. I'll check the gear oil again on the next nice day that we get and see if water is getting in and go from there.