sterndrive gear lube consumption

[torcano]

I noticed that my alpha one sterndrives consume about 3-5 ozs of high performance gear lube each week. I use the boat about 5 hours per week. Is this normal? My previous boat had a bravo III and did not consume (leak?) gear lube. The outdrives will be serviced this winter. Anything special I should be looking at? The work will be done by a certified Mercruiser mechanic.

 

[JustJason]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

nope.... it's not normal. your leaking it someplace.
if your not getting an oil drip in your driveway then it's either the upper ujoint yoke seal or the prop shaft seal is on its way out. (it will hold when cold but leak when hot.)

 

[torcano]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

Thanks. My boat is in a slip so I can't tell where it is leaking from. Are these seals routinely changed during the winter servicing of these units? Are they very difficult (expensive) to replace?
RK

 

[chiefalen]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

One of the reasons not to leave boat in the water all the time.

Both leaking?

Could have fishing line wrapped around the prop shaft, messing up the seal.

Have to yank prop to look.

Could be alot of things.

Can't see when in the water.

Can't check to see if you have water in the drive oil.

Not normal, have to yank the boat out of the water, no way around it.

 

[torcano]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

Thanks again chiefalen. Starboard engine leaks more than the port engine. I am pulling the boat out for the winter in 3 weeks. I assume it is not urgent that that I have to do it now. Correct? I have to drive this boat from Red Bank to Point Pleasant for the winter (20 miles in the ocean) because the dealer that I bought the boat from is going to do some warantee hull work this winter. Any danger in making this trip? If so, I could have it hauled to Pt. pleasant.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

Alpha drives right? Look in the back of the transom there is a weep hole there that water will come thru if there is water in the bellows.

Jeez i don't know what to say hmmm.

Ok i thought about this, 3-5 oz a week keep the reserve full it should be ok for 3 weeks.

I hate to be the one to make you miss stripper season.

Any warranty left on the boat?

I wish i had a trailer that i had access to that fit a 30 footer. Just so i could pull it out and look at it.

Why both leaking?

You leaking the oil maybe in the bilge and not thru the drives?

Bad hose or clamp and drip drip drip into the bilge than auto bilge pump with normal water getting pumped overboard?

Thats more likely.

Do me a favor look in the bilge see if any oily water in there.

 

[torcano]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

I usually see a very little oil in the bilge water. However, I get very little water in my bilge. It looks more yellowish and the high performance gear lube has a bluish tint. I'll try to attach a picture on a separate post.
In thinking it over, I probably add only 1-2 oz per week. No warranty since I bought the boat used and it is a 2004. I was planing on having the marina do a general service on the sterndrives when they take them off for the winter. I will have them check the seals. I'll check to make sure all the clamps on the hoses are tight. I assume there is a hose that goes from the resevoir to the sterndrive. I'll try to locate it. I was also planing on having the bellows changed this season since this is 5th season for this boat.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

I was thinking about it.

Your good to go till you drive it down in 3-4 weeks.

Yea drive it on the water no problem check the clamps.

1-2 oz nothing drip drip.

Good luck stripper fishing ill be around buoy 19.

 

[torcano]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

What's the best bait to use for strippers? Look for "Dolce Far Niente" out there as soon as this rain stops. Thanks

 

[chiefalen]

Re: sterndrive gear lube consumption

Eels Strippers worst enemy. Eat the strippers eggs. I use a fish finer rig.

Look for a red piece of s--t M.H.J.J.

Ugliest guy on the bay with a beard thats me.