Small oil leak

[rrascher]

I have a 2002 Sundancer with a Bravo III drive, I noticed a small slick of oil (rainbow ish color on top of the water) behind the boat the other day. I noticed that when I have the outdrive in the trailor position there is no slick, when I lower the outdrive to running position the slick comes back a little more than when its just sitting down... I tried to see where its coming from but couldn't tell as everything is under the water except for the top of the outdrive which I do not see an oil on. Any suggestions?

 

[H2ONUT]

If it only happens when tilting the drive, like it did on mine, it was a trim hose that came loose. Could be a trim cylinder seal, or a bad hose also.

 

[rrascher]

It seems to do it quite a bit when I go into the running position and also when I rock the boat when its in running position. When its up i dont see the oil..

Thanks,
Ray

 

[H2ONUT]

The only true way to find it is haul her out. Tilt the drive with someone watching, and you should see the oil leak.

I can't see any other way around it.

 

[Dave S]

I agree that a haul out is the only real way to determine where a leak may be comming from. Even though you seem to think it's the outdrive leaking, two other possible sources are the trim tab hydraulics and the hydraulics for raising and lowering the outdrive. In all three of these cases, a haul out is the only way you can locate the leak.

 

[boatrboy]

Ditto - Even if you found the problem in the water, you probably would not be able to fix it in the water.

Good luck finding it - hope its something simple :smt017

 

[rrascher]

I will be hauling it out this Friday... I noticed today that there is a tiny bubble of oil which bubbles up when I lower the outdrive. I have a feeling its the outdrive oil vent screw....I dont remember there being a washer on it.. :smt009