Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

[sikz3]

Picture where the lower end bolts up to the upper toward the bow in front of the bolts that sandwich the two pieces are what look to be weep holes of some sort. There are one on each side of the drive. There is gear lube leaking from those. How do I fix this and is this lube from upper or lower end unit?
I noticed this after I had replaced the starter today and had the tilt lifted all the way and I disconnected the coil wire and cranked engine to make sure it would turn over. Then I reconnected the coil wire and lowered the drive to hook up muffs and noticed the oil running down drive.
1980 OMC stringer 400

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

need to pressure test your upper and lower gearcases. Hopefully Kagee will come along and post his test assembly picture.....

 

[KaGee]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

You need to do a vacuum and pressure check of the upper and lower drive units. Lube could be coming from the lower shaft seal in the upper unit our possibly upper seals in the lower unit.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

need to pressure test your upper and lower gearcases. Hopefully Kagee will come along and post his test assembly picture.....

 

[sikz3]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

Had seals between upper and lower units replaced for "good water passage" when impellar was replaced by boat shop. At least that is what is on my invoice..

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

Had seals between upper and lower units replaced for "good water passage" when impellar was replaced by boat shop. At least that is what is on my invoice..

That's the first place I'd look then. That description makes no sense for your style of drive though really. Pressure testing is the only way to find leaks.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

Had seals between upper and lower units replaced for "good water passage" when impellar was replaced by boat shop. At least that is what is on my invoice..

There are no oil seals between the upper and lower units. Each unit is sealed independently. The seals involved with the water pump serve only to keep the pressurized water in and the exhaust out.

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

There are no oil seals between the upper and lower units. Each unit is sealed independently. The seals involved with the water pump serve only to keep the pressurized water in and the exhaust out.

Glad you said that KaGee. I have my Upper Gearcase removed from the Lower and could not for the life of me see any Oil Seals Seperating them. I am nearing doing test also and Understand how to test the Upper. Is the test to the Lower the drain plug on the Lower?

 

[sikz3]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

Okay if they are sealed independently which unit is leaking out those weep holes? If they are below the matefaces of upper and lower it must be coming from lower correct?

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

Sikz3,
Below should be a Lower from a 1980 Series 400 Lower. Tell me where this Weep Hole is?

 

[sikz3]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

on the underside of the "cavitation like" plate right above and bow side of the upper fill plug. (41,42)

 

[sikz3]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

Here is where it is leaking

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Leaky OMC Stringer Drive

Looks like you should pressure test both Upper and Lower. My money is with the Upper Gearcase.