Exterior drive oil hose replacement

aero3113

I didn’t want to hijack Joe’s post but I just verified I kinda have the same issue except I believe it’s the hose that’s leaking. Yesterday I noticed oil dripping from the side of the drive. I lifted the drive and looked around, I’m pretty sure it’s coming from the hose and is only leaking with the drive down. The bell housing has to be removed to gain access correct? Should I replace the transom fitting while I’m in there? I do have one on order just in case I break it when removing the line. Any tips would be appreciated!

rasbury

I can't remember the run for that line- ot the connection to the out drive, what would cause it to leak, a crack in the line from bending?

aero3113

Yes, @rasbury dry rot. Also, I noticed that there’s a small Zip tie holding the hose on on the drive side,. I stuck a long screwdriver up and I can spin that zip tie pretty easily. It could be leaking from there, I have to do a little more inspecting before I dig in.

rasbury

Yes...that is kind of what I recalled...I would thing from what I can recall the drive would come off...and I can't remember if you can pull back the bellows to get to that connection..fortunately so far I had mine off only once.

aero3113

I found this video, he removes the hose without removing the drive and bell housing. He does have a brass fitting which makes it less nerve wracking. I’m going to try this first if I can’t fix the leak and hope it works. Maybe I’ll be surprised and have a brass fitting. @JoeStang in this video you can see how to access the fitting from outside.

https://youtu.be/yTTXvJK9tq0?si=9UDQInIsBGNFEe3m

YYZRC

I cracked my gear lube transom fitting when disassembling the transom assembly to replace the steering pin. Mine was plastic, not brass like the one in the video. I believe the brass one is aftermarket.

The hose could probably be done without removing the drive, but the transom fitting... yikes.

aero3113

@YYZRC how is the hose secured in place? Hose clamps on both ends?

aero3113

I can’t see the transom side yet until I turn the drive, I know the drive side has a zip tie loose on it.

YYZRC

Mine had one of those goofy plastic clamps with the teeth.

YYZRC

My opinion - I would do it right and replace the whole assembly. The part was about $15 and both of mine broke when working on them. I replaced them and sold the transom assemblies with peace of mind that the next person wasn't going to get stuck with a brittle fitting.

aero3113

Yea, I'm going to see if its leaking at the loose tie wrap on the drive side first. If it is, I'm just going to try and tighten it or install a clamp. If not ill probably do it right. Do you remember if its 1/4" hose or 5/16"?

YYZRC

Be careful as the connector is super brittle especially after 15 years. 

I don’t remember the hose diameter, sorry!

aero3113

From what I see online it’s 1/4” hose.

rasbury

Yes, mine had that style clamp..

JoeStang

Its 1/4" ID hose, ask me how I know

aero3113

I don’t want to jinx myself but I think I fixed the leak. Last night I was able to push the hose further up on the barb on the drive side slightly, I was then able to tighten the tie wrap that was on there about one click and then the pigtail broke so I got lucky I was able to at least tighten it. I looked this morning when I took the dog out and no signs of any oil leaking. It was a decent leak, we’ll see later on today when I run the drive up and down.