Water in oil

[Gearhead59]

I have a 1986 Rinker V-180 with a 4.3 Chevy motor and a OMC Cobra outdrive. I leave this boat in all season. This year when I pulled it out, there was a huge amount of water in it ! It was light tan in color. It worked just fine when I pulled it out, but now I'm assuming that the seals need to be replaced ? Could someone give me a step by step on how to do this,...tips,...pointers, or a link to a good "how to" video ? A link to a diagram of the seals,...and how many would help too. Thank you !.

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard Gearhead:

What does the oil look like in the engine?

 

[Gearhead59]

For some reason, I get an error trying to upload a picture ! ? It is a very light tan colored,...but it worked great when I took it out of the water last fall.

 

[Gearhead59]

And it's not the engine,...it's the Cobra outdrive. Sorry,....I woulda known if there was water in the motor.

 

[Mark B.]

My outdrive has several different oils - clutch, intermediate, upper gearcase, and lower. Each one is sealed off from the others. Which one of yours has "bad oil"?
Mark

 

[Gearhead59]

This is an OMC Cobra,...just one oil in the lower unit,.....whole outdrive assembly really,........it's like 80/90w gear lube.. Has 3 drain plugs, upper middle and lower. It's the only lubricant in the entire assembly, besides Gimbal grease.

 

[Gearhead59]

This is an I/O also,...FYI,....thanks !

 

[Mark B.]

Wow! only one oil change. I have to do 3 separate changes on my omc vertical drive.
Good Luck! Mark

 

[Gearhead59]

You must have a "Stinger".

 

[Mark B.]

Guilty as charged! I have a stringer.

 

[Gearhead59]

If I can figure out which seal is leaking, I may not have to even take off the outdrive, or vertical unit as you call it. Wonder if theres a way to pressure test it ?

 

[bruceb58]

YES, you need to pressure test and YES you should be pulling the drive.

 

[Gearhead59]

Ok, cool,...now were getting somewhere. How can I pressure test it ? I have an air compressor and I can rig up some kinda way to get it pressurized that way. I would just shoot air in the top hole and look for leakes, maybe use a spray bottle with soapy water ?

 

[Gearhead59]

I have the OMC manual on it. I'm sure I'll hafta take it off now, just wondering if whatever seal needs replaced, can be replaced and if unit can just be put back on after leak is fixed, or whether it really needs to be tore down ! ?

 

[Gearhead59]

I'm looking for a way to pressure test it and all I come up with is having to buy a Stevens pressure tester for $134 bucks ! Is there a cheaper pressure tester, or a way to rig one up ?

 

[jerryjerry05]

There are cheaper testers on ebay.
Turn the air comp all the way down.
Most test are at 10-15# and any more will blow out good seals.

Get a tire pump and cross the fittings and rig up something to fit.

The 3 plugs on yours are: top is for the dipstick and a vent as you fill.
Middle is where you fill with lube.
The bottom is where you drain.

Not filling from the side will cost you an upper unit.
There is an air cavity in the Cobra that won't fill unless it's done from the side.

 

[Gearhead59]

I got how to fill it right, but I think it was probably leaking from the bottom screw,...bad seal, and it was kinda loose when I took it out. I'm going to the Marina to get new drain plug seals. I also replaced the impeller/housing/sleeve last year,...could it also be leaking into the gear case assembly from not putting sealant on mounting bolts for the impeller housing ?

 

[Bondo]

I got how to fill it right, but I think it was probably leaking from the bottom screw,...bad seal, and it was kinda loose when I took it out. I'm going to the Marina to get new drain plug seals. I also replaced the impeller/housing/sleeve last year,...could it also be leaking into the gear case assembly from not putting sealant on mounting bolts for the impeller housing ?

This year when I pulled it out, there was a huge amount of water in it ! It was light tan in color.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard Gearhead,.... Was the fluid drained, still of an oily consistency,..?? or watery,..??

I run Mobil 1, 75W-90 Syn-oil in my outdrives,....
I had an issue like yerself a couple years ago, 'n it was in fact because of the drain plug/ vent seal issues,... musta been in a rush, 'n screwed up,...

The Syn-oils seem to hold their oilyness better than dino-oils, 'n if you didn't get pure water, or nearly so, I'd probably put new seals on yer 3 plugs, 'n Try it,....
Maybe pull the boat 1/4, or 1/2 way through the season, 'n check, rather than waitin' til seasons end,....

For pressure testin' a drive, rig up a low pressure gauge(yer testin' at 'bout 15 psi), 'n a shrader valve, to a 3/8"-16 fittin'(I use a fittin' salvaged from a oil bottle pump) to screw into a plug hole,...

A hand-pump can be used to pressurize the drained drive, 'n, Ya, soapy water to find yer leak, if there is one,...

 

[Gearhead59]

Thank you to all ! I am sure it was just the drain plug seals that were leaking ! Chalk one up to trial and error for me,...again ! After the help you guys have given me and help from some good ole boys at the area Marinas, I have this figured out ! Thank you !

 

[bruceb58]

It's a good idea to change all those every time you change your oil. Cheap insurance.