'77 Mercruiser 233 Lube Oil in Bilge?

[ctanke]

Greetings all. First time poster. I'm looking at a 1977 Tiara vacationer with 1600 hours on the engine. Sea trial went well, but noticed what looked to me to be significant gear lube floating around the bilge. Grey/muddy green in color. This would be the first inboard I will ever have owned. With that vintage system what might be the likely culprit if it is indeed gear lube? Want to figure that into my purchase price. Thanks in advance, CT

 

[haulnazz15]

Well, the only way that gear lube is coming into the boat is if the outdrive needs a new yoke seal in the upper unit. That is, unless someone installed a remote-fill reservoir which would be clearly visible, but rare. A significant amount of gear lube would have to fill the u-joint bellows and leak down the transom into the bilge from behind the engine.

The trim pump uses SAE30 motor oil, so that shouldn't be green.

 

[Bondo]

Greetings all. First time poster. I'm looking at a 1977 Tiara vacationer with 1600 hours on the engine. Sea trial went well, but noticed what looked to me to be significant gear lube floating around the bilge. Grey/muddy green in color. This would be the first inboard I will ever have owned. With that vintage system what might be the likely culprit if it is indeed gear lube? Want to figure that into my purchase price. Thanks in advance, CT

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,.... Ya oughta keep Lookin',....

That boat's Probably gonna need a new drive soon,....
To move that much gear oil into the bilge, the drive must be 'bout full of water,....

 

[JASinIL2006]

Does the boat have power steering? If it does, what color is the PS fluid in the reservoir?

 

[achris]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,.... Ya oughta keep Lookin',....

That boat's Probably gonna need a new drive soon,....
To move that much gear oil into the bilge, the drive must be 'bout full of water,....

Completely agree....