PTO Bearing help 2006 C180

[CSager]

Hey everyone, Im having an oil leak issue from I think the PTO bearing on my 2006 C180 but I'm not totally sure. I have had my dad pilot the boat while I try to have a look down around the bearing but I can't see exactly where its coming from I wiped everything down and I did have some residue around there. Im going to put down some paper towels and take it out and see what I can find, thing is the boat shop that I purchased it from last year put a new one in and I only went for a short trip 10 mins before I had to put her away for the winter. I did the SC this year and the o Rings on it looked fine and there was no oil below the mounting area when I pulled it out. I did rebuild the jet pump this month and forgot to support the shaft overnight so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it. The bearing/connection that is closest to the carbon seal moves or I guess floats on the drive shaft? I can slide it aft a little the connection looks ok as per the manual I don't see the mark on the shaft? this is keeping me up a little lol. I just can't stand oil leaks if I need to replace the PTO assembly is it something I could do without the special tools like the bearing holder the shaft holding tool. If any one has any tricks or can point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated we are just starting the boating season here.

 

[RowdyRod]

Hi CSager,

Your drive shaft, Carbon ring and PTO cover look nice and clean, very good condition for a 2006 so either well looked after or replaced at some stage. You are correct about the slip ring seal against the carbon ring, it is supposed to be able to be moved back (towards the rear of the boat) to remove the 'C' clip to remove the drive shaft.

Check the sensors on the PTO cover, there is a crankshaft sensor (the wire in your picture) that can leak, also check all around the PTO cover for any leaks. The bearing/seal in your picture with the rubber cover clamped to the PTO can also leak if the bearing fails or the two rubber O rings that seal it against the shaft fail. The white stuff around your bearing looks a little strange to me do you know what that is?

You don't need any special tools to remove the drive shaft or the PTO cover.... but I don't recommend trying to take off the PTO cover with the engine still in the boat.... I can be done, but it's a major PITA. I would try and isolate where the leak is coming from first.

 

[CSager]

Thanks RowdyRod, The white you see in the picture look and felt like a white silicone? I did read something that some have used it between the bearing and the rubber cover for a better seal? Thanks for the heads up on removing the PTO cover!

 

[CSager]

So I had the boat out today and I could see oil dripping from in between the bearing itself not the shaft. In the pic the side with the white stuff that bearing is leaking it looks like it's together ok but I guess I will replace it to be safe.

 

[pete63]

could be the o rings #10. just check the end cap #8 is there and condition.
that bearing and shaft has to seated properly as per manual.

 

[RowdyRod]

Picture tells a thousand words there are three places that bearing/seal can leak. I have marked them with coloured rings in the picture...

1) Between the rubber housing and the bearing (red ring). Can be fixed by replacing the hose clamp
2) The bearing itself (green ring) - the bearing would need to be replaced
3) The 3 rubber O rings (blue ring).



The easiest fix would be the hose clamp as you can remove and replace that without removing the drive shaft.

If you do need to remove it there are plenty of threads here on how to remove the drive shaft.

 

[CSager]

Thanks everyone that is excellent info! I thought it was leaking around the green circle in the picture but I can't say for sure the paper towel I had down had a bit of a spray pattern not just a drip and the bearing did have oil on it not much but it was there. Nice pic and thanks for the post Pete63 I'll look into that to that does help out huge thanks you! I'll take everything apart and inspect I'll post back with results.

 

[CSager]

This is what I found, first the drive shaft where the PTO bearing sits is pitted? the inner collar of the PTO bearing looked rough... the o-rings were in place but I could slide them side to side in channel they sit in?

I also found some rubber bits up by the bump stop at the end of the shaft. My thought was the pitting was wearing down the o-rings and that the o-ring might not be the proper ones in the PTO housing.

 

[RowdyRod]

What is the actual bearing like? Are you able to rotate it or has it seized? The rubber o rings should be a nice tight fit both in their grooves and around the shaft.

 

[CSager]

The bearing looks and feels ok the collar with the o rings defiantly does not have a snug fit on the shaft like the bellows for the carbon ring. I think they put in the wrong o rings and the shaft is not smooth in that section. I'm wondering if the old bearing was seized on causing the pitting and the dealer put a new bearing on the old shaft.

 

[CSager]

Well there it is! Installed the PTO bearing on the shaft with the original o rings put some oil on the other side filled it up just to cover the bearing.

 

[RowdyRod]

Damn... That is a very loose fit! I would smooth the shaft with some wet & dry sandpaper to make sure the seal is good when you put in the new rings. Also make sure you check the alignment when you reinstall.

 

[pete63]

you mean new o rings?
just ensure reinstalling the shaft is correctly aligned and engaged properly.

 

[CSager]

Thank yep I'm going to install new o rings and either get a new shaft or have the old one repaired to make sure the surface the o rings ride in is smooth and not pitted like my first photo. Oh and I'm checking the alignment too.

 

[RowdyRod]

I don't think you need a new shaft, that one looks pretty clean and I could not see any wear on the splines from the photo, I've seen some really rusty ones reused by people on this site and others without any issues. I'm sure you have the skills to clean it up..... That said, sometimes I just replace parts with new ones for peace of mind even if the old part is still ok

 

[CSager]

You think the o rings on this surface will be ok? I'd sure like to keep 400 bucks in my pocket lol

 

[XP 787]

IMO you're driveshaft is fine. The orings spin in the bearing with the shaft. Smooth it out a but with some 2000 grit sandpaper so the shaft will slide in a bit easier.

You can always replace orings then slide the bearing over the shaft and fill it with oil again to check for leaks. (excellent idea on your part BTW)

 

[RowdyRod]

I agree, keep the money in your pocket

 

[CSager]

Well I picked up the new PTO bearing assembly with new o rings on the old shaft it was better but when I tried it on the new shaft in the store there was a noticeable difference! I had to work it on with a little oil on the rings a much better seal and feel so I went with both parts new..... I was amazed how much difference there was with the new parts.

 

[CSager]

Had the boat out for a few hours today and she ran great no oil leaks! Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[RowdyRod]

Great news!