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Bravo 3 upper seal failing yearly

C

CaptBrian

New member
I hope anyone who has had this problem has found the solution because this is a pain in the rear. I have a 2000 Sportcraft 272 with a 7.4 liter MPI and a Bravo 3 duo prop (22 pitch). The upper drive seal has gone out of it 5 times in the last 4 years! I have tried speedy sleeves on the shaft, replaced the shaft, switched to synthetic oil, you name it. At first we thought it was simply backing out and getting chewed up by the shaft. We glued it in place and it still failed. Looks like it might be getting warm? When it fails, it dumps all of the drive oil into the bilge. The boat has 2100 hours on it. It is only used in fresh water (Great Lakes). It weighs in at 6700 dry. Usually run about 8-10 miles to fish, troll for 5-6 hours, and return.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
Water and exhaust pass through the drive. Everything works fine. Unit has been pressure tested to 15 lbs without a leak with a new seal, then after about 150 hours the smell of drive oil starts stinging the nostrils.
 
AGAIN IS THIS THE UPPER CARRIER SEAL????

If you do not answer questions dont expect any answers.........
 
CaptBrian said:
Water and exhaust pass through the drive. Everything works fine. Unit has been pressure tested to 15 lbs without a leak with a new seal, then after about 150 hours the smell of drive oil starts stinging the nostrils.
Click to expand...



Just because water and exhaust flows thru the drive correctly does not mean the volume is correct.

A known issue with the bravo transom assembly is the water hose pass through oxidizes and colapses the water hose restricting the water flow.

If this has occurred and is restricting the flow the exhaust temps could be higher than normal even though the motor still is at normal temps.......
 
QUOTE: Usually run about 8-10 miles to fish, troll for 5-6 hours, and return.

A dealer mechanic told me not to troll at idle speed (800 rpms), his comment was the idle speed does not create a full even load on bearings & seals as opposed to higher rpms having a balanced load rhythm going on ...

Maybe BS (?)

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