Gearcase question

[specboatops]

I have a Merc 200 gearcase worked by Titus, On the left had side of the gearcase towards the top there is a small hole...like a vent or something. Can anyone tell what exactly this is and should I ever see anything coming out of it?
After running yesterday when I was wiping the boat down I noticed something milky looking coming out....not a lot but still wondering if I have a problem or not.
Thanks Guys.

Chris

[K-Dawg]

Sounds like your shift rod seal is leaking. Also sounds like you have water in your gearcase. I would have the shift rod seal changed and while your at it change the gear lube to.

[specboatops]

IS that seal easy enough to change ?

[Brabender]

Could also be your Driveshaft
Check your Gear Lube and Change is ASAP

Needs to Be looked at by Someone who
can Rebuild it if necessary

[transomstand]

They make a special tool to change the bushing, but it can be done without. Unscrew the bushing around the shift shaft, and the seal is at the bottom of the bushing. Care must be taken not to pull out the shift shaft.

[rock]

Let it sit for a couple days and then crack the drain plug. If there is water in your case it will come out first followed by the lube. If you open it without allowing it to seperate you may find what looks like an ugly choclate milk shake come out. The hole you are referring to is a weep hole designed to drain water that can accumulate above the shift shaft. Sometimes minute amounts of lube while under pressure can seep thru the shift shaft seal leaving that area with a residue. Water will then get in there and when it drains thru the weep hole you will sometimes see the oil slick down the side of your case. It is a fairly easy seal to change but it requires a special tool to remove the bushing the shaft goes thru. That bushing has 1 seal and an o-ring. My sporty seems to show this alot but I have never seen a drop of moisture in the case when changing lube.
This leak you found is not uncommon. It can be a sign of a leak somewhere but does not necessarilly assure that. Check the lube like I stated earlier and go from there. Any questions or if you need a hand tearing it down let me know.
Rock

[Bruster]

Chris,
That is a drain for water in a cavity in the gearcase. Likely what you are seeing is wet exhaust goo. Look at your gear lube by removing the lower drain screw and let a few drops out. if it's clear it's OK. If it's milky or you get any water you need to drain the lube and do a pressure test. A pressure test failure is about 95% of the time the shift shaft bushing seal. The seal comes installed in a bushing and comes right out with the correct tool (about $15) made for removing it. The new bushing has the seal installed. If the lube looks dark it needs to be changed. Refill with synthetic gear lube if you drain the lower.:thumbsup:

Shiftshaft tool: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercury-Mercruiser-Shift-Shaft-Bushing-Tool-91-31107T-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem483a90d79dQQitemZ310220216221QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear



I have a Merc 200 gearcase worked by Titus, On the left had side of the gearcase towards the top there is a small hole...like a vent or something. Can anyone tell what exactly this is and should I ever see anything coming out of it?
After running yesterday when I was wiping the boat down I noticed something milky looking coming out....not a lot but still wondering if I have a problem or not.
Thanks Guys.

Chris

[transomstand]

I read recently that trying to force every drop of lube the case will hold is not a good idea, there should be some room for expanding lube as the case heats up, seems reasonable to me.

[specboatops]

Thank You all for the reply's, a couple of questions as long as I have your attention, I am running the Alyson Less than 0 weight in my gearcase, been running it for a couple of years now without incident......could this have anything to do with my problems ?
Pete you mentioned not filling the gearcase off to the top...I might be guilty of this as well I usually fill untill i see it coming out the vent...then I tighten the vent and give it anothe 2 pumps or so.....

Randy I'll crack that drain plug tonight and see what she looks like.
Thanks for all the great feed back guys !

Chris

[Bruster]

The Alyson is not the cause for what you are seeing. Filling an outboard G/C to the top is not an issue, they usually don't get that warm and the having lube to the upper bearing is more important than not having that lube there. The G/C getting warm is more of an issue for the higher HP I/O's where much of the G/C is almost always out of the water. :D




Thank You all for the reply's, a couple of questions as long as I have your attention, I am running the Alyson Less than 0 weight in my gearcase, been running it for a couple of years now without incident......could this have anything to do with my problems ?
Pete you mentioned not filling the gearcase off to the top...I might be guilty of this as well I usually fill untill i see it coming out the vent...then I tighten the vent and give it anothe 2 pumps or so.....

Randy I'll crack that drain plug tonight and see what she looks like.
Thanks for all the great feed back guys !

Chris

[rock]

The seal in that bushing is designed to keep water out, not keep oil in. 0 weight oil and a surfacing case filled to the top and your gonna see a bit of seepage thru that seal. I think you will find everything is OK.
Rock

[specboatops]

The seal in that bushing is designed to keep water out, not keep oil in. 0 weight oil and a surfacing case filled to the top and your gonna see a bit of seepage thru that seal. I think you will find everything is OK.
Rock

Lets hope so :smiletest: I don't need any problems this season.
Thanks again guys for all the feed back....feeling a little better. Will drain and fill case tonight to see condition of fluid.

Chris

[GTO GEORGE]

Have somebody do a pressure test, see if it holds pressure. If it does you're OK.

[specboatops]

opened it up and drained it........again I use the Alyson Pro gear less than Zero weight ......didn't see any water BUT it was very milky looking:confused::confused:Not good right? so I take it there is a problem somewhere. Guess pressure testing it and replacing that shift seal will have to follow.

Chris

[transomstand]

opened it up and drained it........again I use the Alyson Pro gear less than Zero weight ......didn't see any water BUT it was very milky looking:confused::confused:Not good right? so I take it there is a problem somewhere. Guess pressure testing it and replacing that shift seal will have to follow.

Chris

Not good:nonod:

Good news is, gear oil is designed to maintain lubricity even with water present, so all is not lost, get it sealed up, and you'll be fine.

[specboatops]

Thanks Pete. Exactly what I'll do.

Chris

[bulleteer]

I had the same problem with mine this year. I had just replaced the shift shaft seal, water pump base seals and water pump. The only thing that I hadn't replaced was the prop haft seals. Actually they hadn't been changed since 98, when the guy I bought it from had a new lower put on it. Changed them out and haven't had a problem since.

[skydog]

See you tonight buddy! I will fix her!! :) :)

[Sonik]

Chris,

when it STOPS leaking, then you can start worrying :D J/K man.....easy peasy fix.

[specboatops]

:thumbsup: Just wanted to say " Thank You" To Matt ( SkyDog) Wanted to install my wedges and knock out this seal all at once, Matt has a beautiful barn to do all this stuff in so I took boat over there. Had the wrong size bolts to accomadate the wedges so back to farm and fleet I went, when I returned Matt had new seal in, gearcase back on the boat, engine off the boat so we could install the wedges and everything pretty much done.

Thank You is the strongest 2 words I know to express my gratitude. All this from a guy who's plate is always full and always trying to help someone out.
Its hard to find a way to repay such kindness.


Chris

[skydog]

Any time buddy, glad i could help you out! :) :)

Your welcome Matt