OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

[sikz3]

Like the title states after changing the upper gear lube it has a slow leak from the drain plug. The plastic seal looks okay but the surface on the outdrive looks a little rusty maybe? Can I get another set of the plastic washers somewhere? And I will try to clean up the metal surface. Any ideas on how to do that?
Also when I tap the switch for the tilt motor down sometimes the drive "freewheels" on the way down. (not all the way down but you have to hit the switch in small increments as to not crash the outdrive against trailer.)
I also believe the boat is sitting too far towards the front of trailer because outdrive hits the roller on the rear bottom of trailer.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

You should be replacing those washers everythime you change your gear lube.

What you describe for tilting the OMC is normal. You always want to do it in small steps so the drive doesn't "bang" when it hits the bottom.

 

[sikz3]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

where do you get them?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

where do you get them?

If you have a hardware store nearby, with a good selection of, well, hardware items, they would probably have hard nylon washers.

Another thing you could do, is take your existing washer, put a piece of 150 grit sand paper on a flat surface and run the washer around on it to flatten the surface. Do it on both sides. If the washer is not split, I guarantee that it will work.

 

[sikz3]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

Well the local boat shop had some and were very proud of them. About a buck a piece. (bought four). Installed the new one and we will just have to go look tomorrow and see if there is a leak after sitting all night.
One more important question is I filled it to where it was halfway up dipstick (above fill line) The drive is slightly tilted up because it cannot go down without hitting trailer. Will having it overfilled hurt anything?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

Not good to overfill. Lower the tongue of the trailer so you can get the drive all the way down.

New washers do not hurt but I am still using the same ones that came with my unit in 1980. I just dress them on the paper I mentioned. I think you are lucky that they only cost a buck. Years ago I wanted to get a stainless circlip for the cap on the tilt worm gear. They wanted $8 for it. You can get them for 50 cents at any stainless bolt specialty shop.

 

[sikz3]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

The boat is sitting too far upp on trailer and regardless of tongue height it will hit roller on rear of trailer if lowered any more. I will move boat back next time I launch it.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

then lift the tongue until the drive is level

 

[sikz3]

Re: OMC stringer 400 leaking from upper lube drain

The skeg will hit the ground. I just cant win I will do my best to get it level and I will suck out the extra fluid the best I can.