Leaking drive lube

GeorgeKohler

GeorgeKohler

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2015
RO Number
33821
Messages
159
Mercruiser Bravo 3. I noticed a fair amount of gear lube leaking out from behind the prop, between the prop and the housing. I guess it's a prop shaft seal. How much is this gonna cost me?
 
I had mine done a few years ago, it was about $300 for the seals in the lower unit, if I recall correctly. It may have been less. But I took the lower unit off my drive, and delivered that to them, and then reinstalled it myself. Probably would have been a bit more if I took them the boat. I was thinking of trying it myself but the specialized tools, and precision, seemed beyond a DIY job.

Hardest part was finding someone to do it, most places wanted to sell me a new lower unit, if not entire drive, or have me call them back in the fall. Long Point Marina in Earleville MD was the only place within 200 miles of my house that would even talk to me in June of 2015. Took them about three weeks.

I borrowed a bravo 1 lower from a friend, bolted that up, and ran it while waiting on the rebuild.
 
The place I've been taking it to lately for service I can't do myself says they just wanna replace the lower unit altogether, that they've never had good luck resealing and they see them back in a year. The dealer I bought it from brand new (who I've never used for service) says they do it all the time and can get me in next week for $200-$300 bucks total, so I'm taking it there.

Stay tuned.
 
George That sounds Great! Hope the Pressure and Vacuum tests go well. $200.00- 300.00 is very reasonable!!
 
So, I drop the boat off Yesterday morning to the dealer where I bought the boat brand new many years ago, confirm the work to be done and the estimated price ($200-$300), and the service manager says he'll call me when it's done - a couple of days. I get a call 2 hours later. He realizes that he doesn't have any techs on staff that can do a Bravo III. He used to do them himself back in his day, but he doesn't work in the shop any more. Sorry! WTH.

Found a private shop, 1.5 hours away, that could do it in a few days. Same estimated price. Dragged the boat to him last night.

Keep staying tuned...
 
Just got a text message that the drive is fixed. $400 total. Pressure tested and all is well.
 
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