Gear Lube leak

[paulrfrancisco]

I have a 1990 Cruisers with twin 7.4L and BravoI drives.. the Gear lube resovoir on the starboard engine is always going low... There does not seem to be a leak from the resovoir or from the hose from the resovoir, however there is gear lube in the bilge.. Any thoughts on how this could be leaking? Actually the port resovoir also needs to be topped off once a season as well.. but it also doesnt look like it is leaking... Is this a common problem and what wouls the suggested repair be?

 

[tommays]

Re: Gear Lube leak

you can clean it up and use some talcum powder to try and find the leak <br /><br />it will show on oil spots just use a littel bit<br /><br />on the drives in general the real queastion is are you getting any water in the drives <br /><br />milky oil when its changed or does it look clean<br /><br />tommays

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Gear Lube leak

You might check the "O" ring or gasket on the fill cap

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Gear Lube leak

hello<br /> rub your fingers around the driveshaft where it enters the coupler. if it has gear lube on it it could be the input seal on the upper case. if its dry I would follow the resevoir hose to the transom nipple.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Gear Lube leak

Drain the oil and fill it with colored water like Kool Aide. Since water is thinner, it will leak out faster.<br /><br />JUST KIDDING!!!! DON"T DO THIS!!!!<br /><br />To take all the guesswork out I think you can pressure test the drive. This way you will know for certain in the event there is more than one small leak starting.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gear Lube leak

Time to pull the drive and see if gear lube is leaking out of the front seal of the drive. If it is, it could be leaking through the gimbal bearing and into the bilge. If you pull the drive and the bellows is full of gear lube, your search is over.

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Gear Lube leak

Thanks for all the advise so far... If I decide to pull the drive, (BravoI)... is the procedure the same as an AlphaI.. i.e. shift to froward before removal? what about the speedo tube? <br /><br />With regard to leaking in via the driveshaft... When I look down behind the engine with a drop light, I dont see a wet oily mess in the gimble assembly.. It just seems to be getting gear lube in the bilge.. maybe it is dripping from the rubber hose from the resovoir only when the engine compartment and the lube is hot... I'll clean it up with a rag and keep looking.<br /><br />Thanks