Any idea what I’m supposed to put in this empty reservoir

[Johnny Dimez]

I’ve recently purchased my first boat, a 1998 Sea Ray Sundancer (5.7 II). I have mechanic skills but zero boat experience. I’ve noticed an empty reservoir and have no idea what fluid goes in it. Seems like it may be some sort of power steering fluid. I’ve attached a few pictures. Please advise. I’m about to take it out for the first time this afternoon and I want to fill that up. Previous owner always took it to a mechanic so he has no clue. No engine manual yet but it’s coming soon.

 

[Shenanigans77]

That is your outdrive reservoir. Fill it with this

 

[Johnny Dimez]

Thank you!

 

[Soulshine]

Keep an eye on that. The fluid that was supposed to be in there went somewhere.

 

[ASH]

That tank will have a rubber line that goes to the transom. It is possible the rubber line got warm near exhaust manifold or possibly rubbed a hole on outdrive input shaft. You will likely find the gear oil inside the boat if you fill it.

 

[blaster]

Before taking the boat out check that there is gear lube inside the outdrive. Without any gear oil inside it will quickly blow up. There is a flathead screw on the torpedo in front of the propeller. Get a large screwdriver and a clean pan to catch the oil then remove that screw to see if there is any gear oil inside. If water comes out or milky oil then there is a leak somewhere. The oil should have a blue/greenish color. If the oil is black it needs to be changed.

It is very common for fishing line or debris to wrap around the propeller shaft and cut into the seal causing a leak. It is wise to remove the propeller at least once per season to inspect for anything wrapped around the propeller shaft and grease the splines on the propeller shaft. Replacing a lower unit can get very expensive.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Do not drive the boat till you check further into this. You're gambling with thousands of dollars on a new drive.

I'll skip over the basic stuff as you said you're comfortable with mechanic skills so I don't want to bore you!

Check the gearcase oil. At this point you don't know if it's just low (as noted, it shouldn't be... at least not that low) or if it's empty. Drain the gearcase and check for contamination. Then refill until it starts to show up in the reservoir bottle. Stop, let it settle for 5 minutes, then button things up. It would be good to replace the fill and vent screw sealign washers.

Ideally... pressure test the drive once it's empty.

And, you really can't just "fill that bottle". It may take a a day to completely fill it as it slowly drains down to the drive. Even then, it may not be correct due to air bubbles. Always fill from the bottom (unless you're just topping off the bottle, but that's not what you have going on).

 

[Lazy Daze]

There is a flathead screw on the torpedo in front of the propeller

It depends on what drive he has. It may be behind the prop.

 

[blaster]

Very true. I was assuming an alpha drive with the 5.7 but it also could be a bravo. If the OP can update us that would be helpful information.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Very true. I was assuming an alpha drive with the 5.7 but it also could be a bravo. If the OP can update us that would be helpful information.

Yup. Accurate descriptions help.

For what it's worth, a B3 still has the drain on the nose cone. B1 and B2 are behind the prop.

 

[Johnny Dimez]

Very true. I was assuming an alpha drive with the 5.7 but it also could be a bravo. If the OP can update us that would be helpful information.

I’ll look when I get to the boat in the next hour pr so…definetely concerned now that all these posts are coming through.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Update (Thank you, Thornton, for the clarification)... Concerning the Bravo II, it may depend on the model year whether or not the drain is on the nose cone or behind the prop. I thought that all B2's hadit behind the prop like the B1's - but maybe it changed over the years... or maybe I'm just misremembering concerning the B2!

Either way... concerning yours, Johnny... you'll know when you go look at it! If it's NOT on the nose cone, then pull the prop.

Unless, of course, you don't even have a B2...then this conversation was all for not.

 

[Johnny Dimez]

That tank will have a rubber line that goes to the transom. It is possible the rubber line got warm near exhaust manifold or possibly rubbed a hole on outdrive input shaft. You will likely find the gear oil inside the boat if you fill it.

I took it out. Had to refill it about 2 hrs in. Probably leaking from where you said. I'll look closer tomorrow, to dark arm. Thanks for the input.

 

[Johnny Dimez]

It's a B2

 

[blaster]

Get after it before you go out again. A bravo ll lower unit is very expensive to replace. Whatever a Mercury mechanic will charge to change a leaking seal is nothing in comparison.

If it is leaking into the bilge then nothing is getting into the drive.

I’m curious if you were able to check the oil in the drive itself, the condition of the oil, and the location of the drain plug?

 

[Johnny Dimez]

Oil is getting unto the bilge. It was mixed with the water.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Johnny, from what you wrote, it appears that you took the boat for a drive without first verifying that the gearcase was sealed and filled? You must be a gambler.

 

[Johnny Dimez]

After a quick check near the prop like y’all suggested I found a leak in the starboard side of this area(pics). I see a small slit (pic) but it looks like it’s put ther purposely so not likely leaking from the slit. I’m figuring it’s the seal around whatever the thing in the picture is called. Looks like it may be some sort of gearbox.

 

[Shenanigans77]

Leaking from here

Thats no bueno. If oil is getting out, water is getting in. Pull the drive, repair the leak, drain and refill that leg. It looks like a gasket there that would make that an alpha drive.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Hmmm. Not good. That means you very well could have gotten water into the gearcase when you ran the boat. Hopefully it was just a little bit and you didn't do any permanent damage yet (which can easily be thousands of dollars). If you're using the Mercury Hi-Perf gear lube (which Bravo's require), that may help.

Start with what we talked about above and the check for contamination.

Then you need to pull the drive and further inspect.