7.4 Mercruiser Bravo 1 Outdrive gear lube line.

[Bradinfluence]

I am new here and am hopeful someone will be able to give me some good news. I bought a 1999 24ft VIP go fast boat about a year ago. It belonged to a friend of mine who had it stored for about seven years. It ran fine when he stored it so, when I got it I had to do a few things to make it lake ready. This list includes water pump and associated hoses, fuel pump and associated lines, batteries, changing fluids including hydraulics, engine oil, and drive lube. Plugs, wires, filters and run down a slew of electrical problems associated with corrosion and age. (not to mention all the work to the trailer) I have since been to the lake a few times and am super happy with the way the boat runs and handles on the water. After my last trip to the lake I noticed a nice puddle of gear lube under the out drive that night in my driveway!. Upon closer inspection with a flashlight it seemed to be coming from a gear lube line that runs from the transom to the out drive, held on to the transom with what appears to be a plastic clamp.. I pulled the lower plug and let some lube out and found no evidence of water in the fluid so I pumped some quick silver gear lube back into the drive, stopping when it began to flow from the top plug. (about 3 oz.) I then filled the reservoir inside the engine compartment. without starting the engine or moving the drive up or down I noticed that the reservoir was down about an inch the following morning. My questions are 1) if I run this boat with this line leaking am I at risk of getting water in the drive? (i am thinking yes) and 2) Is there a way to change this line without removing the drive? Your answers, thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated,

 

[Bt Doctur]

Just had to do that same repair,Either the plastic barb has broken or the line itself is leaking.You may have to remove the steering cylinder for some access first. You turn the drive to the left, remove the quick dis-connect from the fitting, remove the "E" clip and push the tube from inside the boat outward.
With the drive turned to the left there should be just enough room to remove the tube and remove it from the hose.
If the transom is older it may have a brass tube and hose barb. The brass one has a fitting that screws onto the tube..
page 4B-8 in here http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/11/11b4r5x.pdf

 

[Pete104]

There ain't no easy way. The Dr. has good advice. However, I'm not sure whether you have a plastic or brass thru hull on this unit. If it's plastic get an extra. It's already 20 years old. Brass, if your in brine you may not get it out. That's worst case scenario. If it is brass just cut what has to be cut with a long knife. Think hard before you start. This HAS to go back together. Get the Mercury hose to replace it and make it no longer than what is there (too long can kink) too short you won't get it back on.

Make sure nothing else is rotten back there. This is a major PITA!

 

[AquaLife17]

Brad I have the same leak. Not sure if it’s the hose or the fitting. How did your repair go? I am wondering if I can replace the hose & clamps without too much work?