2004 SANTE 210 Oil leak - Engine or Vdrive/Transmission?

[Luebowski]

Hello All,
This is my first post on this site but have been reading up on all the topics and look forward to being an active member here. I bought my 2004 SANTE 210 last spring from a friend who was the original owner. He did yearly maintenance on it, it ran great all summer, we put about 70 trouble free hours on it so it now has 555 hours. I have started pulling out the factory ballast to upgrade to a Wakemakers system and noticed an oily leak down near the gas tank. My first thought is some sort of seal on the vdrive or transmission but I really can't get a great view underneath. My plan is to have my mechanic take a look when I get a few things done in the early spring but was hoping to find some advice here. Is there any seals that normally go bad and what will have to be done to find it - like pulling the vdrive or possibly the motor?? Here is a pic of my boat and the next pic is where you can see the oily slick. Thx - Jason

[glassywaters]

Likely the bottom gasket on the Walters Vdrive. You can try to get a socket on the lower bolts to tighten. Give the forum a search. Couple threads on replacing the gasket. Also, lean it up and throw some newspaper down to locate the leak. Good luck...not a big deal though, fairly common problem.

[Luebowski]

Likely the bottom gasket on the Walters Vdrive. You can try to get a socket on the lower bolts to tighten. Give the forum a search. Couple threads on replacing the gasket. Also, lean it up and throw some newspaper down to locate the leak. Good luck...not a big deal though, fairly common problem.

Thanks for the info! I will get in there and and tighten things up, glad to hear this is likely not a huge issue.
If I find anything different I will report back.

[Infinity]

Just make sure you are checking your fluid levels on the regular. If the oil is reddish color...likely v-drive, blackish color is engine. From pic it appears to not have a red tint to it but oil in your v-drive may not be red like mine is....or has not been changed for a long time and no longer have the red hue?

[Luebowski]

When i bought the boat last spring I had all the fluids changed, impeller, etc since the boat had sat for unused for about a year before I got it. My mechanic said the transmission oil is red, but not the v-drive oil.

[Infinity]

Good call

[BrickBrock]

This is the thread you want to look at. I replaced my v-drive gasket a couple of years ago and have not had a leak since. Great Looking boat, by the way.
https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...-this-weekend=

[functionoverfashion]

Likely the bottom gasket on the Walters Vdrive. You can try to get a socket on the lower bolts to tighten. Give the forum a search. Couple threads on replacing the gasket. Also, lean it up and throw some newspaper down to locate the leak. Good luck...not a big deal though, fairly common problem.

Agreed on cleaning it up first, to see if you can locate the leak. It's easy to check those bolts on the v-drive oil pan, so that's worth doing. But it's also possible that a little bit of oil was spilled in the process of changing all the fluids. Unless you're certain the oil wasn't present at that time, but appeared over the season... just a thought. If you clean up the bilge thoroughly then you'll know for sure if it's a leak - of course, you may have to drive the boat to find out..

[Luebowski]

I plan to go in and tighten things up next weekend and then clean up and see if anything keeps leaking. It sounds common that the bolts back off, but if that doesn't do it then I will look to change the gasket out.

[SC_Mike]

Looking good Jason! This is still my favorite boat of all time. Lots of good memories behind that beast.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[homer12]

First - nice looking boat! I have a SV211 same vintage and drivetrain as I believe you have. I have the leaky oil pan on the v-drive. Planned on doing mine this winter off-season. The oil level has always stayed in good shape and good color so I haven't been too concerned other than a little extra cleaning in the bilge area.

[Luebowski]

First - nice looking boat! I have a SV211 same vintage and drivetrain as I believe you have. I have the leaky oil pan on the v-drive. Planned on doing mine this winter off-season. The oil level has always stayed in good shape and good color so I haven't been too concerned other than a little extra cleaning in the bilge area.

Thanks! I tightened the 4 bolts at the bottom of the pan but it did not stop my leak. Your right though, the oil level seems to stay about the same level for now. Makes me wonder how its been leaking since I just took ownership last spring.