Gear Lube Level

[sim2k]

I have a Mercruiser 5.0 MPI w/ a Alpha drive. The gear lube reservoir level has been slowly going down. I noticed today that the cap was covered with some of the gear lube oil. What would cause this? Is it possible that cap is bad?

Thanks!

 

[kaz911]

It is quite usual for the caps to start a slight leak. Start by replacing the cap. I just replaced one cap on one of my engines and that stopped the drop in the gear lube tank.

After replacing the cap - and there are no more upwards leaks - keep an eye on the gear lube container after you have sailed. If there are light green bubbles - or it looks slightly milky - you might have a broken seal somewhere. If it is milky - salt water is getting in - if there are only (a lot of) surface bubbles - it is getting air.

After a stern drive service it is normal to have to refill the tank while the drive fills out all the little parts with oil - where gravity alone as not enough.

 

[Half Fast]

I also have a slow leak in the gear lube fill container and have the exact same thing where the cap is always oily. Never thought that lube would be coming out the top of the cap.

 

[Woody]

I had that problem too. I took the cap apart and cleaned it, the problem went away.