Bravo 3 and gear lube

[jeffk]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Outdrives do not USE UP oil. If the system is "tight" the resevoir will remain full almost indefinately. It is however recommended that you change the drive oil every so many hours or once a season. Just like changing the oil in your car. NoBozo

While outdrives are not designed to use up oil, all systems will leak it around seals to some degree. Mine used a little even when brand new. I would speculate that the type of usage, lots of stop/starts, hard turns, long runs at full power, etc. would tend to accelerate the leakage. Age obviously makes seals less tight and leakage accelerates. When my lube usage increased I had a lower end service done and it dramatically reduced the lube use. I look at increased lube use as a warning that other parts may need attention as well.

The fact that drive manufacturers place the lube resevoir in plain sight, provide alarms for low conditions, and document the need to check the level each time you use the boat show that they expect such leakage to occur.

I believe that the fill it and forget it philosophy does not apply to most boaters. Maybe you can get away with that for the first couple of years for a new boat (or new car) but you are taking your chances after that.