Oil leak from bolt on outdrive

[jminz]

Hi there, new to forum and relatively new to boating (as an owner)

Noticed this leak from a bolt on my outdrive today. Was hoping for some direction before taking it into the shop.

2005 Rinker Captiva 192. 4.3l Mercruiser. Alpha 1

 

[Bt Doctur]

there are no oil passage by the bolts, but the GEN II does have an O ring between the top and middle bolt

 

[tpenfield]

There is the oil passage (valve assembly) in between the two upper bolts shown in the picture. . . .

Are the bolts tight? Recent servicing of the outdrive?

 

[jminz]

The boat was purchased and service last summer. Is this something that needs to be addressed immediately?

 

[tpenfield]

Well you will be putting out an oil slick when you put the boat in the water . . . So yes.

I my experience, you do sometimes get a little bit of oil seepage from the valve if the outdrive is not 'driven home' quickly enough during installation after servicing, and subsequently, you can get a little bit of oil discharge from the area.

Other possibilities are the o-ring is failing or the bolts are not tight.

 

[Grub54891]

I'd pull the drive and check that o-ring. You don't need water getting into the drive,what comes out,let's water in.

 

[jminz]

Is there a torque spec for these bolts? I'm going to tighten, clean it and see if that stops leak.

 

[Bt Doctur]

you need to remove the drive to make sure the O ring is there. Once you lose the oil ,YOU LOSE THE DRIVE

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/97/97hs2.pdf

 

[jminz]

I'll have it looked over. Preciate it.

 

[tpenfield]

50-ft lbs . . .

Unless the bolt is obviously loose, you should pull the outdrive back from the bell housing to get a good look at the condition of the o-ring.

 

[jminz]

Could the oil I'm seeing around that bolt be residue from winterizing? I tightened the bolt a half turn, and also cleaned around the bolt. No additional oil has leaked.

 

[Bt Doctur]

The problem is your sig says a Alpha and the oil fitting is on the Alpha GEN II drive. We need more pics to determine the type. do the hyd rams bolt on or slip on?
There is no winterizing process involving an oil leak in that location. The GEN II has a O ring seal in that area, the standard Alpha does not.

 

[tpenfield]

Could the oil I'm seeing around that bolt be residue from winterizing? I tightened the bolt a half turn, and also cleaned around the bolt. No additional oil has leaked.

My advice is to do a bit of degreasing/cleaning in the area and see if the oil comes back (or not).. If not, then it may have just been the loose bolt . . . if not, then best to look at the o-ring.

 

[jminz]

The problem is your sig says a Alpha and the oil fitting is on the Alpha GEN II drive. We need more pics to determine the type. do the hyd rams bolt on or slip on?
There is no winterizing process involving an oil leak in that location. The GEN II has a O ring seal in that area, the standard Alpha does not.

I'll double check, but boat is a 2005 model, would that not dictate a Gen II?

 

[jminz]

My advice is to do a bit of degreasing/cleaning in the area and see if the oil comes back (or not).. If not, then it may have just been the loose bolt . . . if not, then best to look at the o-ring.

I'm taking it in today to be safe, hoping it was just a loose bolt

 

[Bt Doctur]

If should be, that's why I posted that link, but sometimes things get changed

 

[jminz]

Took it in today. The oil on the bolt was residual oil from last time unit was serviced. Preciate all the input from everyone.