OMC Cobra whine on a 4.3 liter

[malcolm2]

I have been reading the nightmares about outdrive oil changing idiots. I have a mechanic that did the ol' 1/2 full change about 2 years ago....I now have a high pitched whine. At 1st, he was willing to stand behind the mistake, but now he wants to blame the problem on everything else he can think of. Last fall he cleaned the unit out once more, shavings galore (2nd cleaning) in the upper unit. Yesterday while pulling the kids on a tube, they heard a "pop" and then the strong smell of machine oil. I was in another boat and came over to see a skim of oil on the lake. we towed it home and now I am draining the oil. The 1st few drops from the drain plug were water. is that normal? i rubbed the oil between my fingers, and it is not gritty, but it is quite glittery. Normal? It looks like the "jack-leg" over filled the unit this time. Is there anyway the oil expanded? What was the pop? I have no leaks that I can see, but the tow rope was splashed with oil. It was connected low, near the top of the upper unit. Any ideas?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC Cobra whine on a 4.3 liter

Yes it could have been over filled.The pop may have been the large 0-ring under the top cover.
It has a dipstick on top...have you ever checked it to see if it was over full?
Glittery lube is not a good sign.
Any water at all shows a seal has failed.

So you ran it with only half the lube in it 2 years ago and now want to hold the mechanic liable?

That drive holds 64 ounces.....its not that hard..

 

[malcolm2]

Re: OMC Cobra whine on a 4.3 liter

2 years ago, during my test run(after he initally changed the outdrive oil), it locked up. He said he would cover me if there was ever a problem. Last fall it started the whine, I returned it, he drained and changed the outdrive oil and made the excuses. You think he should be off the hook? I did check the oil level last fall and it was not over filled as it was today, and I have not added any. Oil is not milky from water. The large o-ring is intact.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC Cobra whine on a 4.3 liter

Not sure he should be off the hook but you should have been changing the oil or at least keeping a check on it this season.
You stated some water came out when you drained it so that points to a seal leaking.
If you have the service manual for that drive it takes all of 30 minutes to change the gear lube the correct way.
Every boat owner should learn that...

 

[malcolm2]

Re: OMC Cobra whine on a 4.3 liter

It is a shame when you pay someone that is in the business, then you have to follow behind them and check up and re-do. Yes, I can do the work, but I paid him to do it. How often should I check the outdrive oil? I have only put 7 hours on the boat this season. It is a lesson learned, you are quite right. Stupid tax is what it is.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC Cobra whine on a 4.3 liter

I checked my Cobra a couple times during the season..
Now that yours has water in it you will need a pressure-vacuum test done on it.After you find out what the noise is.
Many leaks are the plastic o-ring gaskets on the drain and fill plugs and dip stick.
They should never be re-used..