Water in lower unit......

[Thejanitor000]

I've finally decided to winterize and got a call from the marina's mechanic saying he found contamination from water in the lower unit. Headed over this afternoon. Had a smooth summer with minimal problems so this one came out of nowhere. Is it time to panic yet?

[mcoffey]

Hopefully you just need a re-seal. That will only set you back $500-$600 or so. I guess it could be a crack somewhere causing it as well but lets hope not as that would get expesive $$$$$.

[CountryME]

If you are a salt water guy, I would be concerned about corrosion, but if you run mostly in fresh water it could be a simple reseal job. Keep us informed.

-JP

[Thejanitor000]

I'm in salt water all the way. Outdrive coming off later in the week. Hopefully it's just a seal.

[shrew]

It will depend on how much water, how long it's been in there and how frequently/infrequently you run the boat. The water is going to settle to lowest point in the drive. Enough and the lower gears and bearings can be siting in water instead of oil. The question is how much corrosion as a result? Two things can cause this to occur:

1) Seal failed

2) Water gets into the U-joint Bellows.
-> The large seal where the U-joint goes into the top of the drive spins. It gets lubricated by leaching drive lube into the seal, then the spinning sucks the lube back into the drive. If water gets in there, you'll suck water into the drive as well.

[Thejanitor000]

As expected, a seal and a couple of hours of mechanics time. Ready for the spring now........