outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

[slredstorm62]

i just took my boat out for the first time yesterday, and when i got off the lake i pulled the plug and a little bit of gear oil came out. the whole bottom of the bilge is covered with it./ i looked and found oil on top of the shaft that goes from the engine to the outdrive. but the second time i went out it didnt fill up again and only put in about 4 ounced of fluid if that. should i change this? also, when i left the dock my oil pressure was about 40 and after it warmed up and was runnin WOT i only had 20 lbs is this normal or could my oil sender be messed up. i am thinking about switching to mechanical

 

[slredstorm62]

Re: outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

how hard is it to pull off the outdrive? and what seal kits would it need. (87 mercruiser 3.0l alpha one)

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

From the sound of it, you have a bad yoke seal, usually caused by water in the bellows from a hole or tear......
Pull the drive & see if you have water in the bellows / rust on the yoke/ujoints/input shaft.....
Keep in mind that any water that seeped in, likely has seeped back out...
A thorough bellows inspection is warranted.....

 

[slredstorm62]

Re: outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

would a siezed or loose u-joint shake it and cause it to leak?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

Nope, #20 here http://mercstuff.com/fichea.htm

 

[sxmerc]

Re: outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

Bad u-joint... doubtful. Yoke seal as previously stated. You'll probaby going to need the short yoke itself as the boss where the seal rides gets scored, and will leak again without replacement. Based on the year of your rig, a complete reseal may not me a bad idea either. My two cents.

 

[slredstorm62]

Re: outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

should i just order the seal kit that is in the #20 link? and does that have the yoke seal? i was thinking u joints or gimbal bearing because of the knocking noise i have a feeling it is in the outdrive. also what transom seal would i need?

 

[slredstorm62]

Re: outdrive seal leak and low oil pressure

if i pull the drain plug on the outdrive and fresh fluid comes out with no water in it is it ok to drive as long as i top the lower unit off before i go out? and is the oil pressure supposed to drop to 20lbs after warmed up? when i go out it is at 40 then goes to 20 after a while