Broke the outdrive gear fluid fitting and I launch in 2 days :(

JoeStang

During my routine spring gear lube change I had the very unfortunate discovery that the barbed fitting is broken on the OUTSIDE portion of the transom. I temporarily plugged the outside feed line where it broke, and the drive is full of gear lube.

I am supposed to launch on Tuesday, so I'm in a bind time-wise.

1. Assuming I do not leak any gear fluid at any point this summer (which it never has), can I simply plug the line coming out of the drive? And of course also plug the fitting that is broken. Is there any possibility of damaging the drive, again assuming it never leaks any fluid. I know I'll get the beep from the bottle being empty, so I can disable that as well.

2. Has anyone replaced the fitting without removal of major items in the engine bay? I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but the boat is not at my home, so I have limited access to tools quickly. Plus again, I only have 2 days.

Ideas? Thanks

J3ff

I had this happen to me when I raised the drive one day in a place where it was NOT easy to pull it out of the water. I barely slept. 

In the 2004 270, a short, skinny mechanic replaced it in less than an hour. 

PickleRick

I managed to break mine somehow and replaced it.   I am tall and thin although the flexibility over 40 isn't great.   My inline 6 is easier access than the V8 motors ive owned. 

I pulled the drive to replace the outer hose as it takes less than 10 minutes to pull the drive and slide it back in place with an engine cherry picker.  I usually do it on concrete/asphalt but have put down plywood to do it on grass before.  On the bravos there are no paper gaskets to tear so it's just R&R. 

Two guys with decent lifting ability could remove and put the drive back in without a lift but the swim platform is in the way making you lift in a squatted position on many boats.  

JoeStang

@J3ff & @PickleRick I assume yours had to be replaced from the engine room? If so, it sounds like it was relatively accessible?

I'm heading to the boat shortly and will try to get it done today, fingers crossed.

JoeStang

Also, do you guys know the part #, or best place to find it? I keep finding the fitting for the reservoir bottle.

aero3113

@JoeStang if you can, please take pictures.

aero3113

@J3ff did he remove the drive and bell housing to replace it? Did he replace the hose also?

SeaHare

It can be pretty quick and relatively easy fix. Im sure a local boat shop would stock it. 

Gear Lube Reservoir Fitting Assy 90Deg, Quicksilver 22-861150T02

PickleRick

The plastic quick disconnect on the inside was replaced from the inside,   it wasn't too difficult but the main part was not dropping the little retainer clip.  If it goes to the bottom of the bilge it might not be found. 

I only removed the outdrive to replace the hose on the outside.   I was doing bellows and gimbal bearing when it broke.  

JoeStang

I cant see any way to have any chance to replace the fitting without removing a whole bunch of stuff, which I dont have time for at all. The drive will need to come off regardless since the supply line needs to be replaced as well, and I'm sure the labor cost will be hard to stomach, but I dont have much of a choice. 

I plugged the broken fitting and the line, and I'm going in the water tomorrow. I dont have much of a choice since I'm scheduled and there is no onsite mechanic. I'll be taking it somewhere close as soon as I can get it lined up.

rasbury

Good luck....

J3ff

Hey sorry about the slow response.. here's the bill I got for this job.. keep in mind pre covid. 

aero3113

@J3ff that’s the deal of the century!⚓️

Lake_Bum

I'm paying $140 an hour now for labor.  Times have changed.