First trip out in a new boat yesterday. 2000 model, 454mag, Bravo 1 outdrive. The drive seams to be overheating. The tank was overfilling from expansion and leaking into hull. The drive was hot to the touch. After cooling, the fluid level was below the full mark by about 1/2". Do I have a problem, or is the tank just too full. What would be some causes for overheating?

Thanks, Joe

Bearing's going bad could make it hot. How many hours on the drive?

Was the drive gear lube just changed????? An air pocket in the drive can cause some expansion.

Air pocket likely.
Is best to drain fully and refill from the bottom with a pump with the drives trimmed below level (all the way "in").

Bravos run darn warm. That's why you see so many with white chalky residue baked onto them. A drive shower helps a lot with the baked on stuff, and helps a little with the drive temps.

Run Merc Hi Perf, and not the regular drive lube (or you can go to Amsoil or Royal Purple, etc).

Whether you choose to drain and refill or not, you should at least pull the lower drain screw out and check the magnet on it for metal.

I'm leaning towards an air pocket in the drive from a sloppy refill with them trimmed up or something, but neglecting to check for metal at this point would be silly.

mc

The oil was supposed to have just been changed before I picked up the boat. I will drain and refill correctly with the HP oil and check for metal shavings. Thanks for the info.

Make sure to pump the gear lube in from the bottom.