Loose hardware on Bravo 3

[Underwaterwelder]

Last season my mechanics found water in out outdrive oil, so they rebuilt everything over the winter. I was having an issue with the gauge that shows the outdrive tilt level, while looking into the sending unit I noticed the outdrive had 1 missing and one loose nut on what I believe is the connection between the bell housing and the upper driveshaft housing (please correct me if I’m wrong. Hopefully the pictures show up below). I’ve only had the boat in fresh water once, for maybe a total of 5 hours, and running the engine on and off maybe half the time, since the work has been done. Obviously the mechanics didn’t do a great job if they missed the torque on 2 of the 6 nuts.

Questions are....

1 How screwed am I?
2 if I replace/re-torque the nuts, what do I need to torque them too?
3 how do I check the oil to see if water got into there?
4 if there is water in the oil, can I just drain and refill the oil or are there other measures I need to take?
5 I am assuming it was the mechanics error, is there any other way for those nuts to have “rattled” loose? They are unlock nuts

Thanks for the help!

 

[scoflaw]

Your not screwed, water doesn't get in the oil that way. I just snug them up.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Pretty strange for a nyloc nut to come completely off. I think they may have just forgotten it.

As Scoff said, you should be just fine. Tighten them good and tight - don't worry about a torque value. IF the nuts are loose - as if the nylon is worn out - then that could explain the issue. In that case, replace all.

If you want to check for water, though, just drain a little out into a white container. An ounce or so is all you need. Drain through the... wait for it... drain screw! It's the lower one. Also referred to as the 'fill' screw since it's also where you fill back up through.

 

[BillK2632]

You can get the nyloc nuts and washers at a hardware store, nothing special, get SS. As far as tightening them, I tend to overthink some things, so I looked up the torque spec for mine and always use a torque wrench -- 50ftlb. If you don't have a torque wrench, it's about 1 grunt tight. Might also check the bolts holding the upper/lower together - 35ftlb -- half a grunt. And put a screw driver on the drain and vent plug.

That is BAD that the mechanic forgot to tighten those nuts -- that's the equivalent of forgetting to tighten wheel lugnuts!

 

[Espos4]

Here’s a long shot possible cause....
Where is the boat stored when not in use?

Boats stored out of the water have had their outdrives stolen.

Maybe someone was scared away while trying to steal yours??

 

[Underwaterwelder]

Here’s a long shot possible cause....
Where is the boat stored when not in use?

Boats stored out of the water have had their outdrives stolen.

Maybe someone was scared away while trying to steal yours??

The mechanic has moved locations. And he said stuff has been going missing. We think that’s what it was

 

[susanandlance]

ACE hardware has the SS self locking nuts, 50ft # torque