Opened stern oil vent and water poured out!

[sambluckie]

This can't be good. Checking the oil level in the lower unit and maybe a 1/4 cup of pure water poured out. Then black oil. The boat is a '85 wellcraft that we recently purchased from the original owner. He has not used it much in the last several years. Only once last year. Runs great after a few cans of seafoam and fresh gas. I am assuming the lower unit will need all gaskets replaced and a new impeller while i am in there. Is this a job for a decent shade tree or shoild I leave it to the pro's?
Engine: 3.7 litre sn#A475184
Transom assy# A453976 or '70. hard to read
Stern drive # A471100 gear ratio 1:84 R

Also in need of a good manual.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Opened stern oil vent and water poured out!

This can't be good. Checking the oil level in the lower unit and maybe a 1/4 cup of pure water poured out. Then black oil. The boat is a '85 wellcraft that we recently purchased from the original owner. He has not used it much in the last several years. Only once last year. Runs great after a few cans of seafoam and fresh gas. I am assuming the lower unit will need all gaskets replaced and a new impeller while i am in there. Is this a job for a decent shade tree or shoild I leave it to the pro's?
Engine: 3.7 litre sn#A475184
Transom assy# A453976 or '70. hard to read
Stern drive # A471100 gear ratio 1:84 R

Also in need of a good manual.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... Help is on the way,... the drive no doubt needs a seal or 2, or all of 'em...

Yer Lucky,... There's a few 470 die-hards that hang out here...

'n for doin' yer own drive seals,...
The specialty tools alone are worth more than a New replacement drive...

 

[sambluckie]

Re: Opened stern oil vent and water poured out!

So you're sayin it is not a simple remove the old and replace with the new seals? Need more than pliers, hammer and screw driver? Figured it was going to be a little more involved. Any guess at what a shop would charge or would it be better to look at a replacement unit?

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Re: Opened stern oil vent and water poured out!

So my suggestions are

-1-Pull the drive to assess the problem in detail ( Be sure to check / look for water in the main drive shaft bellows )
-2-Inspect the bellows-- they should be repaced every 6 years or so -- you may be due. Use a good manual!
(Many intermediate mechanics have done this successfully)
-3- Drain the outdrive & pressure test it. ( procedures are posted here )--- http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430
-4- once items 1-3 are completed you can then decide how to proceed more clearly.

Before spending a lot of $ on you drive consider an SEI replacement unit.

I had a similar problem a while back & it turned out to be my main bellows on the drive shaft. The drive shaft seal is intended to keep oil in but not water out and it gets forced in as the shaft turns. Yours could be something different but just wanted to pass that on.

You may find reading this post helpful http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=523275

Good luck!

 

[fmalott]

Re: Opened stern oil vent and water poured out!

So you're sayin it is not a simple remove the old and replace with the new seals? Need more than pliers, hammer and screw driver? Figured it was going to be a little more involved. Any guess at what a shop would charge or would it be better to look at a replacement unit?

it would cost you more to get it fixed then replace with a alpha one SEI. i went through the same thing i had a 1983 I-R outdrive for my 470 (3.7litre) and it would of cost me $1500 to fix so i just bought a new one for $1200. if you read further in the forum you will see what i mean i would replace with a new one GOOD LUCK!

 

[sambluckie]

Re: Opened stern oil vent and water poured out!

Maybe I shouldn't always expect the worst. :facepalm: Maybe it is something simple. I did notice when removing the vent screw that there didn't seem to be much of a gasket behind it. Someone recently told me what BOAT stood for:
Break Out Another Thousand. I am beginning to understand now.