Drop Off Bravo 3 Lower unit for reseal today

[RodnRhonda]

The lower unit seals were leaking and so I dropped it off today for reseal repairs. When it is complete I'll let you all know what I think of the repairs and the cost.

 

[RodnRhonda]

So got the word yesterday they had the lower unit apart on my Mercruiser Bravo 3 outdrive to reseal it. Cost to reseal was supposed to be right around $500. Well the attached images show a groove they discovered on the outer prop drive shaft which they feel would cause the new seals to leak immediately or in the near future so they suggest replacing the outer prop drive shaft. Complete job now just a hair over $1500.

 

[mnm99]

Edit.Double post

 

[mnm99]

Yea that's about right. I think the whole drive has to come apart to replace that shaft , Maybe I'm wrong and it's only the front retaining ring. Either way Looks pretty bad to me.

 

[RodnRhonda]

So to wrap this repair adventure up I ended up just taking the entire boat via trailer down to Marinemax in Jacksonville so they could complete the outer prop shaft and reseal repair on the Bravo 3 outdrive and then pressure test it to make sure it was not leaking. I decided since they had it and boating season was coming to just go ahead and have them do the 100 hr inspection at which they found more things wrong with the boat. Seems that sea water had gotten behind the bellows of the out drive and caused some corrosion on the u-joints and alternator. I had them repair what needed to be repaired to give peace of mind and a reliable boat for the upcoming summer. The service manager Rick was kind enough to get us a 20% discount on all the labor for all the work they were doing and also a 10% discount on the parts. We didn't ask for that, they just did it for us which I felt was above and beyond. They are a landlocked Sea Ray dealer right now but moving very soon so you will be able to drive your boat right there to the dealership to have service.

Back to the repairs. They changed the oil & filter, topped the fluids, new water impeller, tested the batteries and connections. Cleaned the bilge, checked all the lights and systems, new alternator and serpentine belt and then tested it on the water to make sure it was all good to go. Grand total out the door.... $4000, ouch! But I do have peace of mind now which when you buy a used boat you don't always have.