am_dew
Advanced Contributor
Background: I have not been out in my boat this year for various reasons. I changed the oil in my 270 outdrive in May 2023 and used the boat 3-4 times last year.
Last week I was getting my boat ready to launch and while putting in the transom drain plug, I noticed I got oil on my fingers. The drain plug is not far below from where the exhaust bellows is. I felt oil on the little shelf right below where the exhaust bellows attaches to the transom. The oil I found was pretty clean. I then checked the outdrive oil level on the dipstick while at the launch ramp and it was low....did not show on the dipstick. Not being confident that the outdrive had sufficient oil,I took the boat home and started exploring further. I added about 1/16 qt of oil to the outdrive through the dipstick hole and it then oil showed up on the dipstick. While I was investigating, I discovered this -- one cap screw that fastens the lower gear unit to the intermediate housing was completely missing and another on the same side of the drive was very loose. I tightened the loose screw up and ordeed a new one (thanks @capt Bob for the link). I also used my fingers to feel if there were any rips or tears in the bellows and did not feel any problems...the bellows seems to be in good shape. I did feel oil around the tiny drain hole in the bellows and I suspect that it where it is leaking from. I took the boat back to where I store it and put a clean piece of cardboard on the ground under the transom so I'd be able to tell if the drive continued to leak or not. A few days went by and the new screw arrived so I went back to the boat. The once clean cardboard had a large oil stain on it and I also felt oil on the small shelf mentioned above. I installed the new screw and made sure the other 3 screws were tight. I cleaned up any areas below the bellows that had oil on them. I also put a new clean piece of carboard under the transom again. I came back to the boat today and found a large oil stain on the cardboard again, so apparently the drive is still leaking oil. I checked the oil level in the engine and it was fine and at the same level it was at the end of last season, so the oil I am finding has to be coming from the outdrive.
My next steps are to detach the exhaust bellows on the outdrive end of it and see what's inside. I will also drain the outdrive and see what comes out and how much.
My question is this -- is it possible that there could be a bad o-ring or other seal in the outdrive that allows it's oil to make it's way into the exhaust bellows? If so,which one(s?) and how hard would it be to inspect and replace as needed? The pics attached shows were I found oil as well as before/after pics of the cardboard.
I'd appreciate and advice, somments, etc. Thank you!!
Last week I was getting my boat ready to launch and while putting in the transom drain plug, I noticed I got oil on my fingers. The drain plug is not far below from where the exhaust bellows is. I felt oil on the little shelf right below where the exhaust bellows attaches to the transom. The oil I found was pretty clean. I then checked the outdrive oil level on the dipstick while at the launch ramp and it was low....did not show on the dipstick. Not being confident that the outdrive had sufficient oil,I took the boat home and started exploring further. I added about 1/16 qt of oil to the outdrive through the dipstick hole and it then oil showed up on the dipstick. While I was investigating, I discovered this -- one cap screw that fastens the lower gear unit to the intermediate housing was completely missing and another on the same side of the drive was very loose. I tightened the loose screw up and ordeed a new one (thanks @capt Bob for the link). I also used my fingers to feel if there were any rips or tears in the bellows and did not feel any problems...the bellows seems to be in good shape. I did feel oil around the tiny drain hole in the bellows and I suspect that it where it is leaking from. I took the boat back to where I store it and put a clean piece of cardboard on the ground under the transom so I'd be able to tell if the drive continued to leak or not. A few days went by and the new screw arrived so I went back to the boat. The once clean cardboard had a large oil stain on it and I also felt oil on the small shelf mentioned above. I installed the new screw and made sure the other 3 screws were tight. I cleaned up any areas below the bellows that had oil on them. I also put a new clean piece of carboard under the transom again. I came back to the boat today and found a large oil stain on the cardboard again, so apparently the drive is still leaking oil. I checked the oil level in the engine and it was fine and at the same level it was at the end of last season, so the oil I am finding has to be coming from the outdrive.
My next steps are to detach the exhaust bellows on the outdrive end of it and see what's inside. I will also drain the outdrive and see what comes out and how much.
My question is this -- is it possible that there could be a bad o-ring or other seal in the outdrive that allows it's oil to make it's way into the exhaust bellows? If so,which one(s?) and how hard would it be to inspect and replace as needed? The pics attached shows were I found oil as well as before/after pics of the cardboard.
I'd appreciate and advice, somments, etc. Thank you!!
