Cannot find the gear lube oil leak???

Hello All~

On my 454 with Bravo II drive I'm having an issue with the gear lube leaking out someplace. If I fill the reservoir and run the boat for an afternoon, the reservoir will be empty and the oil on the bottom of the boat. I've tries to trace it back to the transom and all looks and feels dry. I fear it may be something in the out drive leaking back through the bellows and onto the bottom of the boat. Before I remove the outdrive to inspect further, any suggestions on what it could be and what I should be looking for?

Many thanks,
Bob

You have the right idea to pull the boat and remove the drive. You might see lube spraying through the gimbal bearing at the transom assembnly while underway if you can manage to see that far to the transom looking into the bilge. We can't see the transom assemblies at all, so I would never be able to do that.

Keep in mind, if you're losing gear lube that quickly you risk more damage by running the drive. Since oil is getting out, water may be getting in. I would pull the boat and the drive before running her any more.

There is a dedicated hose for the drive fluid that passes through the transom assembly. Got nothing to do with bellows. The hose does have brittle plastic fittings that can break

Bottom line......find the source of your leak.......lights, mirror, camera.

If it's anywhere near the bellows, I would suspect the input shaft seal of the drive. If it is weeping hopefully that's all that's wrong, otherwise it could be a tell tale sign the bearing behind it is loose or toast too.

Raytard said:

If it's anywhere near the bellows, I would suspect the input shaft seal of the drive. If it is weeping hopefully that's all that's wrong, otherwise it could be a tell tale sign the bearing behind it is loose or toast too.

Click to expand...

Yeah! That's what I am thinking too. I was trying to be optimistic about it...