www.iFourWinns.com

I've had the same issue with all my boats.... oxidation on the upper part of the drive. It doesn't spend much time in the water, but I can't seem to get and keep the drive looking good. Products??? Techniques??? Any help is appreciated.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

That's because you keep buying Mercs.

I've heard a drive shower can help this because the residue is the result of the top of the drive running so hot, but don't really know.

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

Mike is right. This is likely hard water scale as a result of the evaporation of water on the upper drive. Some swear by drive showers. I don't know of any other means of prevention. Try vinegar water to get it off. This might confirm that it is due to hard water.

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

Vinegar water doesn't take it off. I've tried that on mine. I've just grudgingly accept this as something I can't stop from happening.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

I just checked out drive showers.... Price isn't too bad, but maybe next season. I'd hafta agree that is likely the cause. Maybe I'll try a little CLR, if I have some left around.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

There is a cleaner called "Zing" that you can get at some marine stores that is designed to remove scale. Have heard of some people using toilet bowl cleaners with success.

Walt have same problem on my Bravo I drive. Have not tried cleaning it yet, but I think you are on the right track with the CLR. That stuff works great. I am also looking into adding a drive shower to mine.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

The Drive cleaning is a called "Zing".they also cleaning tape up. The right one drive and chose to it clean drive. The right drive picked up one tape an It to put in. Also, some hard drive to clean and maintain.

I don't imagine anyone on this forum has a drive shower? The Simrek Halo Max seems to be the most popular... anyone with a friends cousins uncle's buddies boat that would have any input? I'm thinking of getting/installing sometime this summer.

The calcium build-up makes since, given the hard water we have here in the midwest. Maybe worth the $200 to keep clean. I know someone who can powdercoat it black, to boot!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

This is an older thread, but 230 Mike brought up the subject today, and I didn't want to hijack another....

I was washing/waxing the boat last weekend, and got to the drive, which looked heavily discolored, as I had not cleaned it before winterization. I soaked a damp rag with CLR and wiped down the upper portion of the drive. Let that set for just a few minutes and wiped it dry. Looks as good as new! Highly recommended. I do NOT plan on installing a Drive Shower as a result. I see the benefit, however, my lake is only about 3-4 miles end-to-end, so not much sustained WOT to overheat the drive and oil.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Good deal. The heat/discoloration seems to be almost universal with Mercs, yet I've never heard of a case where it harmed anything. AFAIC, CLR is like WD40 - everyone should always have a jug of it around.

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

Walt, where can you buy CLR locally? I'm going to take care of this problem on mine-FUGLY!

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

WalMart, Home Depot, Ace Hardware...

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

I cleaned my entire lower unit and tabs with a product called algex and it helped quite a bit, but took a lot of scrubbing.

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