Bravo 3 Sterndrive - oil level

[mlines]

Our Bravo 3 sterndrive seems to "use" sterndrive oil.

It needs topping up every few trips. I know that Matt's Crownline with precisely the same engine and drive also uses sterndrive oil at a similar rate, therefore I am not too worried about it. There is no water in the oil, no oil appearing around seals and joints and no oil "film" appearing on the water behind the boat when sat in calm water. If it had not been for our old Alpha drive which would never use a drop of oil at all I would probably not even be asking this question. Does anyone else see their sterndrive require topping up every now and again?

[Ianfs]

Sounds like you've checked most things Martin.

Not sure if this is any help but when I was refirbing my stern drive, which by the way is an Alpha One, I read somewhere that with a Bravo 3 drive which has just had an oil change, can settle in and you have to top it up because of air bubbles, but if its every few trips it can't be that.

However, there is something about the drive seals which allow blow by but don't let water in. Consequently you may only lose oil whilst running. Probably not much help but worth investigating.

[mlines]

Ian,

Thanks, the air bubbles bit is certainly true as the day after filling the drive monitor was empty! But this was true of both the Alpha and Bravo drives.

I am not too concerned as I know an identical drive does the same but I am interested in where it goes, perhaps as you say there is some sort of blow by of a joint.

Martin

[Ianfs]

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engine-repair-and-maintenance/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/9962111-bravo-3-losing-oil

Martin
Purely out of curiosity I posted the question on iBoats forum. The guys on there tend to be pretty sharp. I got a reply which if you click the link you can read but basically he is saying you have a seal gone. Looks like the new seals are different consequently it sounds as if it may have been an issue.
Might be advisable to get Matt to call Tom at Tompa to get an engineers thoughts, before it becomes a bigger issue. Just a thought.

[mlines]

Ian,

Thanks, I will get Tompa to look at it during the service then,

Martin

[Matt13]

I've mentioned it to Tom a few times regarding the oil level he doesn't think it's an issue but I'll check regarding the seals.

Cheers Ian