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Shift cable leaking oil

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srp1

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"Hello OMC world,
I have a 19

"Hello OMC world,
I have a 1980 OMC 800 stringer in my boat, no problems to report other than I just noticed oil leaking from the shift cable at the shift box. The box is mounted up on the transom, inside of course, and it sits just a little above the drive when the drive is in the full up (trailering) position. Never any oil leaks before, however I did just changed the oil, and before posting this I did rechecked my oil level and its correct. Its sitting at the base of the threads on the top hole, with the drive in the full down position and boat level, drive was filled from the bottom hole.
My thinking is this, the boat has always stored indoors except for the last few days as I'm working on other things. With the drive in the direct hot sun, in the full up position, and the fact that it has been stupid hot here where I live the last several days 112-115*, and the drive gets to hot to touch because its a dark gray color. Is it possible for heat expansion of the air and oil in the lower unit to push the oil up the shift cable like a vent, or do I have a more serious issue that I need to address?
By the way I also re-checked the oil in the upper unit while I was at it, and when I removed the dipstick I got a slight release (puff) of air pressure, I'm happy about that at least I know the upper is air tight. Well thats what makes me think this is a pressure venting issue and nothing more, what do you guys think?
Thanks in advance for your time and input.
SRP1"
 
"I've heard something like

"I've heard something like this before with these hydro assist units. You say leaking at the shift cable, at the shift converter box? I think typically that is mounted to the back of the motor above the bell and intermediate housing and not on the transom. Then again I have or rather had the mechanical shift. Long ago there was a guy that had the exact same thing happen to him. It was on another forum and I cannot find that thread at all. Bill McKay, are you out there? He would know whats going on."
 
"Hello Bud Fox and thanks for

"Hello Bud Fox and thanks for the reply.
Yes oil leaking out of the cable at the converter box.
Your correct most of the converter boxes where mounted above the bell housing, I think in that location I would never see an oil leak. However my converter box is mounted on the transom, which is a much lower location than the bell housing, after posting this question I took another look at the relationship between the converter box and top of the lower unit and it appears to be just barely above the lower unit with the drive in the full up "trailering" position.
So I guess the real question is could there be some type of seal that has gone bad, or is this just a venting issue thats showing up because of my lower converter box location?
By the way, this is a mechanical shift unit.
Thanks again
SRP1"
 
There is an umbrella seal insi

There is an umbrella seal inside shift cap on lower unit. Book says do vauum leakdown test upon installation. Appaently there is enough pressure there to force oil through cable housing. Must shift real smooth though.
 
"the cable pathway is a vent f

"the cable pathway is a vent for the lower unit. In fact to pressure test, you must remove the cables and clamp a closed off length of heater hose over the end of the shift cable. I believe you are probably correct about the hot sun. There might have been some oil in the cable from some time in the past when the drive was off and laying on it's side. The expansion pushed it out."
 
"Thank you very much for the r

"Thank you very much for the reply's. Yes this thing shifts smoother than grandma's Cadillac, and after doing some more research I came to the exact conclusion Hy Stat posted so thank you for that accurate info.
Thanks again everyone you have been a great help."
 
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