Port Drive:

Port drive is using lots of oil from drive reservoir. Reservoir will completetly drain mostly while stopped; doesn’t appear to use any oil while at speed. Drive oil is not in the bilge (yet), nor does it appear to be going in the water. I assume it is going into the bellows. Is front pinion seal bad? I think this drive also started making faint gear noise (whirring sound) when in gear.
BTW: No water in oil either.


Starboard Drive:
Starboard drive has just started using some oil. Not much, kinda like port drive a few months ago. Getting ready to have a problem?

don't know it this is your problem or not , but two years ago I bought a brand new Bravo that used oil from day one.
No visible leaks , nothing in the bilge , on water in oil but the level kept going down.
Long story , short , I tightened the bolts between the upper and lower gearcase prbably less than 1/8th turn and it stopped.

HEY BILL, DID YOU JUST CHANGE THE OIL IN THAT DRIVE?
PULL THE TOP PLUG AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY AIR THAT COMES OUT.
STAN

Oil change was last year.

DID YOU PULL THE TOP PLUG AND SEE IF AIR COMES OUT
OR GEAR OIL?

Go to a local tire store and buy a brass valve with a nut and o-ring. Now get an extra cap for your resevior and drill ahole in it and put the valve in the cap. Clean everything and fill the resivior. Now put the cap on with the valve and pump it to 5 lbs. Come back in an hour and look for the leak. If still nothing and pressure is gone re-pump until you see oil.

I had a leak that was driving me nuts and this found it. Had to fill the resevior and pump it 3 or 4 times and I found the leak. It ended up being the seal behind the u-joint.

Now I use it to presssure thest the whole system in the spring and fall.

Bill,
If the Pinion seal is of the old style, it is very likely it has pushed forward and is leaking. The XR drives seem to make more pressure and the problem shows up early. I would pull the drive and take a peek at the retainer nut. If it is the old style retainer the seal should be recessed about 1/16". If it is flush with the edge the front edge will be worn and you will be able to see the damage, and the leak if it is as bad as you say. And there will be a bunch of oil in the bellows..
If it is the new style retainer, you will have a hard time seeing the seal, covered up by the lip that holds the seal in place. I would not run it until you determine the cause. About 5 min of idle time on the pinion bearings when there is no oil, will weld things together..

The seal kit pn is 11-841026A2, give Chris a call at Sterndrive Specs a call, he will help you out.. 315-623-7642.

Hope this helps!
Dick