Gear oil leaking

[Rockrunner99]

I have a 2002 Sea Ray 5.0 mercruiser that was low on gear oil. I filled the reserve reservoir to the top last week and ran it for maybe 30-40 minutes. When I checked yesterday the reservoir was nearly empty again. Can't see any obvious leaks and the bilge does not show enough oil in it, I used a full tube when I filled it. I pulled the boat out of the slip last night and it's on the hard now, I'll check to see if there is an oil drip/stain on the driveway when I get home.

Is there an area I should check first? any weak points in the system or gasket that goes bad? We bought the boat two months ago and it has worked great except for this problem and oil in the steering fluid (another post)

Any help is appreciated
Thanks Tom
2002 Sea Ray 200 select 5.0 EFI

 

[Grub54891]

Check in the morning for leaks, and where they are coming from. Then let us know with pics.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Consider building yourself a pressure tester. Only real way to be sure, once you know you have a leak. There is a thread in the stickies.

 

[nola mike]

Oil can be in your bellows. You'll need to pull the drive no matter what

 

[dubs283]

pull drive, inspect bellows, transom rubber, etc...

drain gear lube and pressure test, only true way to find where your leak(s) is

 

[harringtondav]

Same advice as all above. A leak that size will show itself eventually. Park on a paved surface with the drive full down. Top off the reservoir and look for external dribbling and puddles. The cause is either bad seal(s) or a lube monitor system leak. ...also wouldn't hurt to check you bilge for lube.

 

[Rockrunner99]

Oil can be in your bellows. You'll need to pull the drive no matter what

Can I dislike your answer ;-) Don't want to pull the drive but .........

 

[Rockrunner99]

Same advice as all above. A leak that size will show itself eventually. Park on a paved surface with the drive full down. Top off the reservoir and look for external dribbling and puddles. The cause is either bad seal(s) or a lube monitor system leak. ...also wouldn't hurt to check you bilge for lube.

First thing I did was check the bilge, it is clean. We pulled it from its slip and brought her home, did not see any oil on driveway but kept the outdrive up will check tonight again, thanks

 

[Rick Stephens]

Can I dislike your answer ;-) Don't want to pull the drive but .........

So.... pulling a drive is a 10 minute chore, an annual one at that. I had a leaky cracked outdrive that I pulled and dried out every day to get through a vacation. Is not a big deal. If in doubt, pull the drive and look at what is happening. And have an alignment bar on hand to check that every time you pull the drive - at least annually.

 

[harringtondav]

First thing I did was check the bilge, it is clean. We pulled it from its slip and brought her home, did not see any oil on driveway but kept the outdrive up will check tonight again, thanks

Well, if there is no external oil evidence your next step is pulling your drive as Nola and Rick stated. It's fairly simple: Shift into FWD, raise the drive so you can disconnect the speedo tube connection, lower the drive, remove the end caps and snap rings from the aft ends of the trim cylinders, push out the shaft/rod. 5/8 socket on an extension to remove the six nuts (50 ft lb of torque when reinstalling - with a new gasket) and pull the drive.

The suspicion is you'll find a puddle of lube in the drive shaft bellows. That would mean a bad gear yoke seal. Fixing that takes a special tool, in/lb torque wrench and know how. If this is over your head you'll be many dollars ahead by taking the drive to a shop and saying "Replace the drive yoke seal", vs saying "I've got an oil leak, fix it". Your gear yoke may be grooved beyond reuse, so they may sock you for a new yoke.

 

[nola mike]

Can I dislike your answer ;-) Don't want to pull the drive but .........

You can dislike it all you want. I dislike most of the issues that I run into. Canoes have fewer problems...

 

[achris]

Can I dislike your answer ;-) Don't want to pull the drive but .........

One of my most favourite quotes is: 'The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you'...

You can 'not want to pull the drive' all you like. Doesn't alter the fact that you have to 2 options. You pull the drive, or take it to a shop, who will pull the drive.

And what's the big deal with pulling the drive? It's a 5 minute job!

Chris.....

 

[nola mike]

One of my most favourite quotes is: 'The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you'...

You can 'not want to pull the drive' all you like. Doesn't alter the fact that you have to 2 options. You pull the drive, or take it to a shop, who will pull the drive.

And what's the big deal with pulling the drive? It's a 5 minute job!

Chris.....

In all fairness, if you don't know what's involved it can seem intimidating. It *looks* like it should be a big deal. I would rather pull the outdrive than remove spark plugs. And I'm talking 4 plugs.