Bravo 3 moisture, loose drain screw!
Liberty44140
Member Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
Draining both drives today so that service can come and pressure/vacuum test them. I ordered the test pro actively, lube monitors were clean and didn’t drop. Port drained nice and blue, perfect, no concerns. Starboard definitely has moisture in it. It’s barely 40 in here so it’s a little thick. Here is the kicker though, the top air/drain screw plug on the drive was loose. Zero effort to back it out, in fact with little effort I could screw it in 1/8 turn. I distinctly remember torquing on these screws in the spring so I’m baffled as to how it was loose. New high perform lube and new blue drain screw washers in the spring.
Given the loose screw, if the vacuum/pressure test comes back good I’m thinking i am good?
Thoughts? Bottom screw had almost no metal shavings, just the normal trace amount, no concern.
Given the loose screw, if the vacuum/pressure test comes back good I’m thinking i am good?
Thoughts? Bottom screw had almost no metal shavings, just the normal trace amount, no concern.07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)
Comments
PC BYC, Holland, MI
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht.
Go Steelers!!!
screws only if there is a need. Drain screws get chewed up over time
yes everything gets damaged and worn out over time.
i would also inspect the condition of the threads inside the drives.
https://www.harborfreight.com/impact-screwdriver-set-with-case-37530.html
Note that I do mine while on a floating raft with boat on the lift. This does make it a bit more difficult to get a firm stance while using a regular screwdriver to remove the plug. (for those environmentalists, no, I do not let any oil go in the water. I can actually do both drives at the same time now)
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
I plan to flush the drive that had moisture with a quart of new LU oil. I plan to clean out the lube monitor, and then pour a quart of lube in the lube monitor and let it flow right out the bottom of the drive. This should flush out any remaining moisture. Then re fill both drives. Already ordered 4 new merc oem plug screws and gaskets for both drives, $30 delivered, not bad! Thanks!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-Marine-Mercruiser-New-OEM-Magnetic-Gear-Case-Drain-Screw-22-8M0058389/401021962357?pageci=861a251b-f6e9-48d7-a13b-f125f70d216c&epid=1237712985
Amazon had the sierra for the same price for 4 delivered and I’m fine with Sierra but figured I’d go with oem for the same price
https://www.dbelectrical.com/tilttrim_marine_discount/?utm_source=DBElectrical.com+Subscribers-MC&utm_campaign=677d307ec3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_01_05_23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_71e4da393d-677d307ec3-69143971&mc_cid=677d307ec3&mc_eid=4bd276fad0
Removing the lube monitor to clean was shockingly easy. Remove the strap, and then pull the hose from the barb. The wires pull out of small connections easily. Took home and thoroughly cleaned with mineral spirits, was surprised about how crappy it was down there. Spirits now flow smoothly out the bottom of them. I was able to blow air cleanly from the end of the monitor hose down through the drive so I think I got whatever was stopping the lube from draining. Ended up pumping a quart in to the top vent hole on the drive and letting it flow back out the bottom to flush, all clear, ready to fill Saturday.
Should I use a little dielectric grease when reconnecting the wires?
those tanks should be cleaned once every two seasons
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express