Bravo, Vacuum or pressure test?
 

Should a Bravo be vacuum or pressure tested?

If so, how is the best way to do it?

I had my OD upside down on a stand for a few weeks to do some painting. I noticed a small gear oil leak that looked like it was coming from one of the top cap bolts.

I also noticed last season that I would loose a little gear oil (an ounce or two) every couple weeks. No visable leaks or contaminated gear oil.

Dave, We pressure test them at work. Let me know if you need anything. I am back working at Newburg.

Dave,
I put 15psi to the drive for 24hrs or more.. If it holds, then I call it good. Some say it needs a vaccum check, but I rarely do that and have not had any problems..
I made a manifold that holds a gauge and shrader valve..

Hope that helps
Dick

Reminds me of a situation that occured via phone.
Customer calls and asks same question, was told to pump it up to 15 or so and recheck in several hours. Same customer calls back wanting a third set of seals and was then asked why some many seals blowing. Customer on phone states that his air compressor only goes to 150 PSI but seals blow well before that!!!

On first phone call cust heard pump it up 215 PSI not "to 15 PSI" or so.

Thats funny!!!!!!!!!!:lolhit:

That is funny.. English language lacks sometimes.. I wonder if it would be different in Chinese??

Saw this on ebay. For that price, I can proably rig something myself.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Inboa...item3efdbf33a1

I have a drive on test right now ....put 15lbs on it about 10 this morning and just checked it about 4pm .shows 16 lbs thanks to the good ole warm Florida Sun ....:drink:

I used a brass 1/4 Tee a 30lb Gauge and reg Schrader air valve ....Used the hose and fitting from the drive oil pump kit to supply air to the drive ...If you have the Drive lube Resorvior pull and plug the hose ......m

Dick .... you you turn the Propshaft during a "test" ? .......m

Sweet, you have it conquered.

BT :drink:

Can you post a pic of that? I have the hose and fitting, and guage I should be able to use. I just need to get a schrader and the T.

will do ..... tomorrow....werkin tonite ......

Home Grown ..... Werks !

Thanks!

I was having trouble finding schrader's locally so I just ordered the parts I needed from McMmaster-Carr.

OK, here comes the stupid questions......

1. Does it matter if the drive is on the boat or not?

2. Assuming the drive does not need to be on the boat, does it matter if it has gear oil in it or not?

No oil .....
Drive can be on the Boat but if you have Lube Reservoir you need to pull the hose and plug it .....

If it has good oil in it I alway pressurize then look for leaking gear lube. If no oil I pressurize then spray soapy water around all possible leakers.

BT;)

How did you keep the 3/8" X 16 fitting at the drive from leaking? Is your fitting plastic or metal? Mine is plastic and is leaking at this spot and it doesn't look like an o-ring would work. I have a 2.5 Gal pump on order which I believe has a metal fitting instead of plastic. Hoping that this will allow an o-ring to be fitted. Anyone know of a good source for a 3/8" X 16 fitting that will allow an o-ring to be installed?

Looking at that, one wonders if you could just pull the hose from the reservior and use that to pressurize the drive with a t -fitting, gauge, and schrader valve if its on the boat?
I figure if you're pulling the hose off the resv and plugging it, might as well use it to pressurize the drive- thats assuming you have a resv

I seem to be having that problem. I have the metal fitting but it was leaking where you turn it to screw it in. I used the fitting off a gear lube pump that I've had for many years. That could be the problem.

So, I went out today and bought the plastic fitting, thinking that since it's one solid piece it won't leak. But , I think it's still leaking.

Make sure you are using the gasket that normally goes on the drainplug with the metal fitting. Plus you need to hose clamp the tube to the metal fitting.