Zeus POD question-Gear Lube Oil overflowed

[JamesT]

Hi all. I have a question for Zeus POD owners. During a 100+ mile trip recently I had a minor overflow of fluid from my port gear lube monitor that is mounted to the port POD. Shame on me for not noticing the monitor was overfilled to begin with, but I'm new to all this stuff. I'm also paranoid about new developments, and feared that maybe I have water leaking into the drive. Short of hauling the boat out to draw fluid from the POD and looking for milkshake, I ran the boat for an hour, then unscrewed the fill screws at the base of each POD until some oil flowed out. Thankfully, the port fluid came out with zero milkshake and so did the starboard side. In fact both fluids looked, felt, and smelled exactly the same, so I took that as great news that I probably don't have a water leak. But..... I noticed that both sides had a very foul odor, like a burnt smell. Also the fluids were much more of a brownish green color than the color of the fluid that's in the monitor which is more greenish blue. Is this a normal smell and color? Have any of you experienced an overflow before?

 

[JV II]

Send some off to Blackstone Labs for an analysis and peace of mind.

 

[javenius]

In four seasons, I have not experienced a burnt smell or a change in color in my gear lube fluid. I have it replaced annually and keep an eye on all of the fluid levels regularly.

I would have a mechanic look at it as soon as possible.

 

[Molson]

In my experience, be it boats, cars, or race cars, used gear lube ALWAYS stinks. And it sticks around on your hands for days. (the smell).

 

[DF470DA]

James, I haven't had an overflow, and do the same as others, replacing the gear lube oil every season...I would have it looked at by a certified Zues Technician.....don

 

[GWICK]

I had a similar problem with my port side monitor after a 5 hour trip. I had checked the levels before starting and they were at the proper level. It was my first long trip since purchasing the boat 4 months earlier. I had a mechanic look at it and he couldn't find anything wrong. He drained a little bit as you did. It has been fine ever since. The fluid was changed when I purchased it. I did not notice any color difference between the fluid in the pod and monitor.

 

[JamesT]

Thanks all for chiming in. Just wanted to say I had MarineMax change the fluid with me on board and I was mistaken about the color. The old fluid flowed out a beautiful green with no signs of water in either drive, no metal shavings, etc. New fluid was pumped back in, and filled to the proper levels at the cold fill line. After two 1.5 hour trips at 3,000 rpms, all has been good so far! Mind at ease!!

 

[JamesT]

Refreshing this old post. Gear lube level began rising again in the same POD. This time I sent a sample to Blackstone labs who confirmed water. Cummins road crew came today and worked from 4pm to 8pm (2 men) to remove my lower unit and replace all seals. I watched the whole process and was pretty impressed with how simple these drives really are. Boat goes back in the water tomorrow. BTW, all Zeus pods have water sensors in them to detect water in the drive. Though I had water, it was not enough to trip the sensor and the oil that came out today was only slightly milky. I was filled with good oil, drained, then filled again so I should have the cleanest gear oil this side of ole Miss!