drive oil leaking! alpha 1 1997 VIP 4.3 vortex

[robvistaVIP]

just traded for this boat the second time I have taking it out the alarm went off. so I checked seen that the drive oil resevoir was low. so I filled it up and seen it was really leaking bad in the engine compartment. traced the whose no leak from the resevoir to the drive on the inside? where could this leak be coming from I did not notice any leaking in the water or on the oustide of the drive. and I dont have a service manual. starting to think I got screwed on this deal.

thanks
Rob

 

[Don S]

Re: drive oil leaking! alpha 1 1997 VIP 4.3 vortex

Pull the outdrive. You will probably find the ujoint bellows full of gear lube. It will leak into the engine compartment through a weep hole in the transom shield.

 

[robvistaVIP]

Re: drive oil leaking! alpha 1 1997 VIP 4.3 vortex

ok but should it leak just sitting? I put a towel down to see where it was leaking from it seems to be at the back right by the drain plug i mean as soon as I fill that resevoir about 30 mins later pretty good size spot of fresh oil. sorry this is my first inboard boat and I cant stand not being able to see where the leak is coming from. I thought forsure it was a hose. but see nothing.
thanks again
Rob

 

[Don S]

Re: drive oil leaking! alpha 1 1997 VIP 4.3 vortex

The best thing to do is pull the outdrive, drain all the gear lube, then do a pressure test on the drive. Pressureize the drive to around 15 psi and spray soapy water around all the seals and connections. It will blow bubbles where the leak is.

 

[robvistaVIP]

Re: drive oil leaking! alpha 1 1997 VIP 4.3 vortex

Ok thanks. I will try that. thanks again I hope its a simple fix.