www.iFourWinns.com

I hauled my boat out about 6 weeks ago and replaced the outdrive lube. I bought the boat in April so it was more of a paranoia thing that the previous owner had never maintained it.

When I drained the fluid, the level was waayyyyy over the dipstick full mark. I figured it was overfilled and looked for evidence of water. I didnt find any (maybe I wasnt looking properly?!).

I refilled with lube and relaunched.

I hauled out this past Monday and was eager to check the outdrive fluid. Sure enough, its way over the full mark and this time the lube is milky. Crap!

The previous owner stated that the outdrive was rebuilt/resealed because he hit something in the water, 'a few years ago'. I did notice that the drain plug is a nylon washer yet my OMC parts catalog states it should be an o-ring. But several OMC shops I have called stated that the nylon washer is acceptable and will seal.

I dont want to go through the added expense of having all the seals replaced if its just the dipstick and/or drain plug seal. Should I have it pressure tested or just replace the seals and call it a day?

Is there anybody else out there with o-rings for drain plug seals? Or do you all have nylon washers for the drain plugs too?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

part # 26 for the lower....

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog ... &group=941


part # 12 for the upper...

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog ... 50,951,952

looks like they're supposed to be o rings....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I'd get it pressure checked.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Yup - pressure test it.....

I just had mine checked because of the guinnes-like appearance of my fluid (outdrive lube, that is...)

I had both a blown shaft seal and a cracked bearing carrier (which the service manager had never seen before - lucky me...).

Have it checked before you torch your outdrive....

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Thanks guys... my mechanic is supposed to be over in the next week or so (hes booked solid with winterizing & shrinkwrap orders) to take my outdrive off and back to the shop for a pressure test.

It better NOT be from that nylon washer. I will be very mad if I could've replaced a $.90 o-ring, but end up paying $200 for my mechanic to check it out just to tell me that anyways!

Either way, I suppose I'd still rather be safe than sorry and since I just bought the boat in April, I have no idea if/when it was pressure tested last.

_________________
1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21