Two questions please....

[rick3452]

In about two months I have put 100 hrs on my new-to-me boat. Its a 2000 5.0 Mercruiser, Bravo 3 with 320 hrs on it. Should I now be getting it in to remove and service the outdrive? Should this be done every 100 hrs and also, it always is moored in the water, brackish river with changing tides, the question is should I leave the outdrive down when done or raise it up? Of course even when up its still in the water.
Thanks.......Rick

 

[Bondo]

Re: Two questions please....

Should this be done every 100 hrs and also, it always is moored in the water, brackish river with changing tides, the question is should I leave the outdrive down when done or raise it up?

Ayuh,... Every 100hrs. or Annually....

Its easier on the bellows if you leave it Down...

 

[JoLin]

Re: Two questions please....

You'll get plenty of opinions, so here's mine

The outdrive is a closed system. As long as it remains watertight I see no reason to perform more than an annual maintenance. I would simply take the opportunity to check LU fluid level and condition anytime the boat is short-hauled (like for bottom cleaning)

I would change the engine oil and filter every 100-200 hours, tho.

Leave the outdrive down- keeps the bellows compressed. Less strain on them, and less room for critters to attach themselves to them.

(I envy you the amount of use you're getting out of the boat- cool!)

 

[Don S]

Re: Two questions please....

As long as it remains watertight I see no reason to perform more than an annual maintenance.

And just how to you know if it remains watertight if you don't change the gear lube and do the checks????????????

Personally, I would be more worried about the old gear lube and/or water in the bellows than I would about the engine oil. Along with all the other stuff that lives underwater.
Leave the drive down while in the water.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Two questions please....

Bondo-o and Don are right on with their responses.

I'll add:
When you do take it out soon to service, remove the props, and check the rear bearing carrier for corrosion. Aad check your anode condition. (I know Don meant for you to check all this when he said "do the checks", but I thought you needed to see it typed out. )

 

[JoLin]

Re: Two questions please....

Bondo-o and Don are right on with their responses.

I'll add:
When you do take it out soon to service, remove the props, and check the rear bearing carrier for corrosion. Aad check your anode condition. (I know Don meant for you to check all this when he said "do the checks", but I thought you needed to see it typed out. )

Reading the OP's post, I got the distinct impression that this work needs to be done for him. That means the cost of a short haul plus another couple hundred dollars each time the drive is R & R'd. I don't disagree with any of you, but I would not incur that cost every couple of months.

It would be cheaper for him to have a major service performed (including replacing all the bellows) annually, than to perform inspection and maintenance that often, is all.

My .02.

 

[rick3452]

Re: Two questions please....

As always, thanks for the responses.....yes John is right, I have no way of dong this myself, even changing the lower end fluid means haul out & in, so I guess for an additional "couple of hundred" ? dollars it may be worth it to pull the unit. And thanks the outdrive will stay down.

 

[telstar1]

Re: Two questions please....

Your best friend is that reservoir bottle for drive oil. It will tell you a lot about what is going on in the leg and boot.First. confirm that oil goes up a bit when youre cruising. Expansion. Confirms that line isnt plugged.Now monitor colour of oil. It will mirror what oil in leg is like.A serious intake of water into boot will also show up in reservoir colour/level. Dont ask me why, I just know it happens.As regards should you remove leg,I sure would, just to check things over on a new to you unit. After that, I do annual or whenever Im suspicious something isnt right.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Two questions please....

One problem with that bottle, as hinted, it gets plugged up, when shops don't drain, clean, and refill it as a required part of annual service. Your drive can be empty and that bottle can be full. So it is only a useful tool if it's working properly.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Two questions please....

Another reason to leave the drive down is to allow the zincs to do their jobs. If you tilt the outdrive up, part of the zincs is out of the water and is not protecting your drive from galvanic corrosion. That is not something you want. Since this boat is new to you, I would also recommend the haul, outdrive removal, and service. If everything is OK, I personally would do then a haulout and check twice a year. I don't have that problem up here in NY because winter haul-out is a given! Enjoy your boat. Hy

 

[rick3452]

Re: Two questions please....

Great responses! Thanks everyone, very much appreciated...And yes I am very much enjoying our new boat to go with my new RETIREMENT!