Saltwater in Mercruiser outdrive

[Safari]

I am new to powerboats so please bear with me. I bought a boat with an old type 11 mercruiser. Upon checking the oil level I saw the level was up but the oil was milky colored. A friend of mine said it would be O.K. because, after feeling it, the oil was still slippery. I didn't feel comfortable with that so when he left, I drained the oil and replaced it(8qts). I then took the boat out on the bay and for a few fishing trips. Yesterday I noticed that if I shut down the throttle very quickly from about 2500 R.P.M. there was a rumbling type sound comming from the outdrive. Later, I noticed that when I turned the wheel to full left or right, that sound came back. I limped back to the harbor and proceeded to check the oil again. It was milkey!<br /><br />After reading some of the posts on this great and informative board I'm begining to think maybe I have U joint problems.I'm not sure though. I ordered a repair manual from my local library and will read up on this. Can someone tell me what the consequences are for salt water on the bearings,seals and all those other things that make the O.D. function properly? If I do have to replace U joints, is it very difficult to do.<br /><br />Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated,

 

[tommays]

Re: Saltwater in Mercruiser outdrive

i think you have some big problems the drive only holds about 1.5 qts of oil<br /><br />water more or less = parts death<br /><br />if you luckey you will need to reseal the drive new u-joints and all bellows but it could be worse depeding on water damage <br /><br />dont slow down fast you will suck water up the motor<br /><br />if you keep useing the boat as it is you not going to make it back to he dock very soon<br /><br />tommays

 

[Safari]

Re: Saltwater in Mercruiser outdrive

Thank you tommays. I thought it was strange that the drive took so much oil to fill it up to the level it was when I bought the boat. That was the reason I mentioned it in my post. The trouble was, there was no dipstick, indicator line or any other indicator of where the fluid level should be. The only place I can add the gear oil is at the very top of the upper housing, and there isn't any indicator of the proper level. I hope to get that manual soon to learn more.

 

[tommays]

Re: Saltwater in Mercruiser outdrive

normaly you would pump in oil from the bottom fill plug till it reaches the upper vent plug which would mean it was full<br /><br />it sounds like it drainng directly into the drive bellows its the only reason i can think so much could go in<br /><br />tommays

 

[Bondo]

Re: Saltwater in Mercruiser outdrive

I don't know how much oil a Merc Type II holds,<br />But,<br />I'm Sure that you have some Serious Issues that Need Attention.............

 

[achris]

Re: Saltwater in Mercruiser outdrive

Sorry tommays, those type 2 drive do carry about 8 quarts of oil.<br /><br />Safari,<br /><br />If you're getting milky oil, then a seal is leaking. The rumbling sound could be unijoints, or bearings damaged by the saltwater.<br /><br />Chris......<br /><br />

 

[tommays]

Re: Saltwater in Mercruiser outdrive

my bad<br /><br />tommays