Outdrive lube reservoir slowly going down

U

Underwaterwelder

New Member
Aug 27, 2018
19
Boat Info
2001 245 sea ray weekender, trailered on a loadright dual axel trailer by a 2009 Chevy Silverado
Engines
383 stroker , bravo III drive
We got to the lake and I checked the engine compartment as normal before firing it up, I noticed the drive lube was on the low end of operating range. I topped it off. We have been running around all weekend, and I checked it again today. It’s back to the low end of operating range. I haven’t seen any oil sheen in the water when we hang out, and I also don’t seen any signs of leaks in the engine compartment.

The outdrive was just rebuilt over the winter. Is it expected to have to top off the outdrive lube after rebuilding it? If so is there a guess as to how much it needs to be topped off? We have put two good long weekends in so far before this weekend. I typically check the engine compartment and haven’t noticed it low before. I would have thought it would have settled by now. Any thoughts?

2001 Sea ray 245 weekend with 383 stroker with a bravo 3

Thanks again for all the help
 
This is the first time you topped off before rebuilding (what does that mean?)? It's normal to have a bit of air in the system - depending on how you added fluid it could be more or less. It should eventually level out. If run hard, though, the B3 can eat a little oil, sometimes.
 
It might have a giant bubble, and at some point, it will purge the bubble and stop the oil lube drainage.
Or, an internal leak. Hope for the simple thing first and take plenty of extra with you and keep an eye on it.
 
Lazy Daze said:
This is the first time you topped off before rebuilding (what does that mean?)? It's normal to have a bit of air in the system - depending on how you added fluid it could be more or less. It should eventually level out. If run hard, though, the B3 can eat a little oil, sometimes.
Click to expand...

It’s the first time I’ve noticed it was low and had to top it off SINCE rebuilding. And by topping it off I mean the reservoir was at the the lower of the two lines that indicate full.
 
Every spring o have to to top off the lube 2-3 times then it stays level.

Air bubbles like was mentioned above.
 
Using oil with that drive is normal. pushes out but no water gets in. When water gets in , you have a problem
 
scoflaw said:
Using oil with that drive is normal. pushes out but no water gets in. When water gets in , you have a problem
Click to expand...

We had water get in last year.... that’s why it got rebuilt!! Hopefully that’s not the case again this year
 
Easy enough to check if it's on a trailer. Open the drain plug and let a little out.
 
Underwaterwelder said:
It’s the first time I’ve noticed it was low and had to top it off SINCE rebuilding. And by topping it off I mean the reservoir was at the the lower of the two lines that indicate full.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. Just keep an eye on it - if it's just bubbles (the most likely cause), it will level out. But since you're probably a little leery about this since you just rebuilt it, to ease your mind go ahead and check the fluid - as Scoff said, though, you need to check it from the drain screw.

Did you find the source of the leak?
 
Lazy Daze said:
Gotcha. Just keep an eye on it - if it's just bubbles (the most likely cause), it will level out. But since you're probably a little leery about this since you just rebuilt it, to ease your mind go ahead and check the fluid - as Scoff said, though, you need to check it from the drain screw.

Did you find the source of the leak?
Click to expand...

I’m not sure if we found the source of the leak from last year. But the mechanic said he replaced all the seals and all was good now.
 
Normal drop. As stated earlier - keep an eye on it. Every time I change mine I have to add a little a couple of times.
 
I had the seals replaced at the end of the season last year. I used the boat 2 or 3 times before pulling it for the winter. I had to add oil after each run. The boat was laid up for the winter and when I opened it up the oil was down again. I added oil and so far this season I haven't used any. I just got back from 55 mile round trip. Didn't loose a drop.
 
Awesome!! thanks!! I’ll keep an eye on it
 
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