Outdrive oil leak

[rallyhard]

Hi, we have a 1996 Rinker Captiva 23ft with a Bravo 3 outdrive that we got last fall. Over the winter, the outdrive started seeping oil very slowly; like a drip every couple weeks. It appears to be coming from where the outdrive bolts to the pivot assembly, but I don't know the terminology or whether this is like a shaft seal or a housing gasket or what.

Could somebody take a look at the attached picture and let me know what I'm going to be up against here? It appears to be seeping down from the joint indicated by the yellow arrow.

TIA!

 

[rallyhard]

Also, while inspecting for the source of the oil leak, I came across a strange looking area where the outdrive "leg" sits in-between the sides of the pivot assembly when it's tilted down for use. It looks like there might be some sort of guide plates missing and broken. Please see attached pictures.

Thanks again!

 

[achris]

Most likely you have oil in the bellows, which will be from a leaking front seal. The drive needs to be removed to investigate further.

Chris...

 

[achris]

Those wear pads look ok. Not usual, or a problem, to see a bit broken of like that...
But the one on the port side is gone altogether. Needs to be replaced.

Chris...

 

[rallyhard]

Thanks for the response! Sounds like I’ve got some work in store to replace the front seal in the bellows.

 

[achris]

Thanks for the response! Sounds like I’ve got some work in store to replace the front seal in the bellows.

Do you have the Merc factory manual? (Don't even think about doing the job without it)

Chris......

 

[Scott Danforth]

with any new to you boat, you have to do all the maintenance and repair that the prior owner neglected

remove the drive and check the alignment, u-joints, and repair your leaking input shaft seal. if the u-joints are rusty, replace them

inspect the coupler splines
inspect the gimbal bearing

pressure test the drive

anodes

change engine oil and filter

change fuel system filters

check fuel quality

plugs/cap/rotor/wires

trailer maintenance

 

[rallyhard]

Do you have the Merc factory manual? (Don't even think about doing the job without it)

Chris......

I don’t, but after hearing that, I will be sure to obtain one!

 

[rallyhard]

with any new to you boat, you have to do all the maintenance and repair that the prior owner neglected

remove the drive and check the alignment, u-joints, and repair your leaking input shaft seal. if the u-joints are rusty, replace them

inspect the coupler splines
inspect the gimbal bearing

pressure test the drive

anodes

change engine oil and filter

change fuel system filters

check fuel quality

plugs/cap/rotor/wires

trailer maintenance

Thanks for the recommendations!

I think the anodes look ok.

He said he changed the engine oil every year with Schaeffers 5w-30 and the outdrive oil every other year with Quicksilver SAE90.

The trailer had new tires, but when we checked the bearings and brakes it needed quite a bit of attention. We ended up replacing them all.

The rest I’ll be sure to check out ASAP.

 

[achris]

That's not the right engine oil! Should be 25W40. 5W30 is for Jap car engines...

Chris...

 

[rallyhard]

That's not the right engine oil! Should be 25W40. 5W30 is for Jap car engines...

Chris...

Wow, looks like he was running way too light of an oil! This guy had the boat for quite a few years, too... I hope he didn't cause excessive wear with that poor oil choice. Is Schaeffers a good brand, at least?
Is there a brand of oil filter that is a better choice than another? It's the 7.4L.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Wow, looks like he was running way too light of an oil! This guy had the boat for quite a few years, too... I hope he didn't cause excessive wear with that poor oil choice. Is Schaeffers a good brand, at least?
Is there a brand of oil filter that is a better choice than another? It's the 7.4L.

Wix makes some of the best filters. FRAM is some of the worst. the NAPA brand filters are WIX

you can also run 15W40 rotella in the motor. however 5W30 is way too light a viscosity

 

[achris]

From Merc service manual #16 (GM V8 454 - 502 Gen V & VI 1993-1997)

 

[rallyhard]

Thanks guys