Don't Let Water Destroy Your Gears.

The lower unit (gearcase) of your outboard or sterndrive operates underwater, under extreme pressure. It relies on a series of rubber seals to keep the gear oil inside and the ocean outside. If just one of these seals fails, water enters the housing, turns the oil into a "milky" sludge, and destroys your gears and bearings.

A reseal service is significantly cheaper than buying a new lower unit. We identify leaks early and replace the failing components before catastrophic damage occurs.

The "Pressure & Vacuum" Standard

Many shops only pressure test, which checks if oil leaks out. We go a step further. We perform a Vacuum Test, which simulates the lower unit cooling down underwater—the exact moment when water is sucked in.

• Prop Shaft Seals: The most common leak point, often caused by fishing line getting wrapped behind the propeller.
• Drive Shaft Seals: Located under the water pump; these prevent water from entering from the top.
• Shift Shaft Seals: A small but critical seal that often hardens and cracks over time.
• Drain/Vent Screw Washers: We replace these single-use gaskets every time we service a unit.

Signs You Need a Reseal

• Milky Oil: If your gear lube looks like a chocolate milkshake or coffee with cream, water has intruded.
• Visible Leakage: You see oil dripping from the propeller hub or the weep holes.
• Burnt Smell: A strong, acrid odor from the dipstick or drain plug indicates overheated bearings due to lack of lubrication.

Why Choose Breeze Marine?

• Double Testing: We pressure test the unit before we take it apart (to find the leak) and after the repair (to verify the fix).
• Shaft Inspection: We inspect the metal shafts for grooving. If the metal is worn, a new seal won't fix it—we use Speedi-Sleeves to restore the surface.
• High-Quality Kits: We use OEM seal kits that include double-lip seals for maximum protection.

Check Your Gear Lube Today

Unsure about your seals? Let us perform a quick pressure test to give you peace of mind.