blown

Bravo One's, first time changing drive oil at home. Had maybe put 25 hours on the boat since it was at the shop last to have the steering cable replaced, and regular maintenance was done.

The starboard drive's oil was green, looked practically brand new, and not a speck of shavings on the magnet. Port oil however was jet black (though didn't smell burnt), and there were some shavings on the magnet. Have not noticed any other issues while running. Is this fairly unusual?

By the way, is there really only one grease nipple on each drive? I thought my dad had showed me two way back when, but couldn't find the second one.

Unlimited jd

iTrader: (5)

I haven't come down to a conclusion as to why, but it seems like 9 times out of ten the port drive is darker than the starboard. If you had left it as one was dark I would've guessed port. Just keep changing it every 20-25 hours and don't be concerned until flakes show up on the magnet.

Mr Maine

That is odd, because the port drive of my previous boat was always much darker while the starboard side would come out looking new.

HyFive578

iTrader: (3)

LH rotation drives have a tendency to generate more heat in the upper and the result is darker oil. I assume your drives spin out; if so, then this could just be that. My drives spin in and my port and center engines (RH rotation) always come out green while my starboard (LH) always comes out black.

Turbojack

When I had my boat in the shop last year they changed the oil on both drives. I had just changed the oil about 3 hrs before and the mechanic was telling me that it looked like I had not changed the Starboard drive oil. I have my drives turning in,

blown

Thanks for the input fellas. I should have taken a pic of the port magnet to show the amount of shavings on there as i dont know what amount should have me worried. It wasn't a lot but definitely noticeable as the starboard magnet had nothing.

HyFive578

iTrader: (3)

It is normal to see a little metallic sheen in the oil, like if you dashed a little metal powder in it. Anything chunky or slivers is not good.

blown

Yeah there were some tiny slivers on the magnet :/

Question: Spinning outward means the direction of the prop blades moving outward on the topside of the propellors, correct?

endeavor1

iTrader: (3)

Correct

HyFive578

iTrader: (3)

Spinning outward means that the props spin towards the sides of the boat versus spinning in, which is the props spinning towards each other... put simply..

Spinning Out: Port turns counter-clockwise (LH rotation), Starboard turns clockwise (RH rotation)
Spinning In: Port turns clockwise (RH rotation), Starboard turns counter-clockwise (LH rotation)