The prop shaft seal is double lipped. One lip keeps water out, the other keeps oil in. You may have damaged the oil seal while the water seal stayed in tact. If the oil went out the driveshaft single seal you would find it in your bellows with a well lubricated gimbal bearing. No water present there, hence no water seal needed at the top. Did you pull the drive yet?

Course, I am referring to a mercruiser drive, so if so have something else.... never mind.

BT

Maybe the water drained as the boat was hauled out of the water? Any way Problemo big time!

Just for the record Shane has CLE drives from a 2.5 O/B

Thanks everyone. Just got a call from a buddy that has got me a newly re-built CLE for $900.00 Any thoughts on price? Sounds like a fair price to me especially vs. rebuilding this one. The nI will have a SPARE!

dont sound bad to me knowing what you paid to have them rebuilt last time.

Shane,grab it youll be glad you did, tripps

Having a spare sounds like a really good idea. You would certainly appreciate it if this does happen some July 4.

I got a whole spare Bravo , it's just ashame I can't carry it with me and change it like a spare tire. Last drive I broke was a two week ordeal (over the 4th of July of course), so I figure now I can blow one up Saturday , come back on one motor , change it and be on the water again Sunday.
Of course there is "Murphy's OTHER law"...If you have a spare anything , you won't need it.(I hope)

900 is a decent price on that CLE.

Jump on it.

That's a good Murphy's law!! I would like to find an extra Bravo for just that occasion, (may it never happen). See ya gotta go to the parts section