Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

[Rockyncali]

I was hoping somebody might know what this is. Today while on the water I saw smoke coming from the outdrive. All day out we smelled something that kinda smelled like propane. Propane? I know it sounds wierd but it really did. Going back to the dock since I wasn't sure what it was I drove about 5 mph. Everything was going good but it would drop in speed pretty rapidly and go back up in speed just as rapid. I don't know if makes any difference but before this happened I was getting the slow engagement clicking when I put it in gear and I also noticed I really have NO point where I'm not in gear anymore.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Rockyncali, it would help if you gave some specifics of what you have, motor, outdrive etc. <br /> <br />And welcome to the forum!

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

In general nothing in the drive generates extreme heat. The moving parts inside will be warm/hot, but the oil in there and the surrounding water keeps this within reasonable limits. The exhaust will add to it, but not to a point of smoking or smelling.<br /><br />It may be exhaust fumes that for some reason smells and are vivisble in the form of smoke and in this case you should check ignition, fuel and air supply to the combustion.<br /><br />If it's actualy the drive, something in there isn't lubed. Have you checked the drive oil level?

 

[Walt T]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

You may be smelling burnt gear oil. Check the drive oil.

 

[Rockyncali]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

I pulled off the drain plug and nothing came out at all. I'm guessing that's bad. For a mercruiser sterndrive does any one have an idea of what type of gear oil to use.

 

[Joe Mc]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

When you pulled the drain plug did you remove the vent plug too? On mine not much will come out of the drain until you pull the vent plug.<br /><br />Just a thought, I'm very new to working on these systems.

 

[Rockyncali]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Yeah I pulled out upper and lower vent plugs and the fill plug and nothing. It just makes me wonder where it all went.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

If the oil disappeared all of a sudden you definately have a leak.<br /><br />You should use oil rated for the use, plenty available from more sources, ie. Merc urypartsexpress.com

 

[Walt T]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Yowza. Time for a pressure/vacuum test. Personally I'd be wary of going out with that drive without tearing it down to be sure it's okay. If you boat a small lake and getting towed in is not a problem and you have a money tree out back, well go right ahead and re fill it and go boating again.

 

[skicat]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

If the outdrive had a leak, wouldn't there be water in the drive? Is there a possibility the drive was drained and never refilled with oil? <br />OUCH!

 

[Danny_Ocean]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

All day out we smelled something that kinda smelled like propane. Propane?

Gear oil kinda smells like propane. Very stinky stuff.<br /><br />I would not run the boat until taking the drive (or the entire boat, if possible) in for service to a QUALIFIED shop. Inspecting & resealing the drive is about $685. Replacing the drive is $3500+. You do the math!<br /><br />D. Ocean<br />Pompano Beach, FLA

 

[Danny_Ocean]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

If the outdrive had a leak, wouldn't there be water in the drive?

Coulda popped a hose above the waterline. My TRS drive has a hose that connects the drive with the reservoir. The upper end of that hose, while outside the transom assembly, is above the water line. If that hose failed, oil would gush everywhere, but water wouldn't be able to enter.<br /><br />D. Ocean<br />Pompano Beach, FLA

 

[fireship1]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Hello, Ouch! No oil at that RPM will hurt 'ya. I would have to agree with all the other guys here and say have it looked at by a qualified shop before going boating again. I know that you don't want to hear this, but it's likely that if you smelled it roasting and you started to loose your ability to shift you probably toasted plenty of expensive parts. A new outdrive or a complete rebuild might be in your future. This type of work is not for the faint of heart! It might be time to call in a pro on this one or if you still would rather fix it yourself, I Boats is having a great outdrive sale. Pick up a complete outdrive in the right ratio and be done with it. It may sound extreme but in this case it might be the only way to go!

 

[Rockyncali]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Great responses, very helpful. Here's what I found. I found that the fill and the vents were not sealing. I replaced the seals and refilled the outdrive. Out of the water the drive works perfectly nuetral, forward, reverse. Everything perfect. In the water it still doesn't want to go into nuetral. I have to kinda pop it a little in reverse to get it into nuetral. But at least no more smoke, no more smell, and I'm keeping oil in the drive.

 

[dperkins4]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

I'm just a "shade tree" guy but it sounds like the "clutch dogs" (?) may have heated up and got rough enough to be "sticky" when there is some pressure (in the water) on them. May improve with use if you dare to risk it.<br /><br /> May be dangerous if its a ski rig tho.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Originally posted by Rockyncali:<br /> I found that the fill and the vents were not sealing. I replaced the seals and refilled the outdrive..

There is no way that all that oil escaped through those fill and vent screws. If anything, water would get in, not oil out. I think there wasnt any lube in there in the first place. You have probably caused damage and will not find out how much untill you are out on the water someplace, I feel you are just buying time and looking for a desaster. May actually cost you more in the future than it would now to have it looked at.

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Dump the oil that you just put in and look at it. AHHH Liquid silver!

 

[Rockyncali]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

It is silverish. What's up with that? What does that mean? Although it looks cool I'm guessing that's not good. I don't want to damage anything, it's probably to late for that. But, I don't want it to get worst.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Originally posted by Rockyncali:<br />It is silverish. What's up with that? What does that mean? Although it looks cool I'm guessing that's not good. I don't want to damage anything, it's probably to late for that. But, I don't want it to get worst.

DAMAGE DONE, END OF STORY!!! Sorry

 

[Trent]

Re: Outdrive smoke and funny smell?

Toasted outdrive......Sorry guy.