While there is one dripless system that uses ATF for lubrication, most dripless systems use raw water for lubrication. Also keep in mind that when you winterize the engines, the antifreeze used to winterize the raw water system flows through the dripless lubrication system, exiting on the outside of the boat at the shaft. It would be possible to misinterpret this antifreeze as lubrication.
If your dripless system uses raw water for lubrication, it is likely antifreeze you're seeing.
Now, if your dripless system does in fact use ATF for lube, and that's what's on the outside of the boat, then that is a different story, and you will have to replace your seals. Typically when the seals go, it is worth replacing the entire system due to age.
Tiara has used different couplers over the years. Most typical is a tapered fit between the coupler and the shaft with a large nut holding them together. Obviously you have to remove the coupler from the transmission to gain access to the nut. Assuming the coupler has not been removed in many years, this is usually a really fun project (!). Getting the nut off will probably not be too hard using a large breaker bar and large chain wrench to hold the coupler. Getting the coupler off the taper, I have had luck with a low-profile puller and carefully applied heat to the coupler. With gas engines you have to be extra cautious with the heat, perhaps using an induction heater like the mini ductor rather than an open flame.
An email to Tiara customer service with your HIN might get you a drawing of your shaft/coupler which would tell you how it's held on and the size of the socket you will need for the nut and whether or not you will need to source (or make) a thin-walled socket. I am probably making it sound worse than it is--it's totally doable, good luck!
Closing this thread..
3 days to take apart…. 4 hours to put it together
The right tools are a must.
Coupler puller, eberts wrench, strut pro. And a skinny team mate to get in the bildge.
Tiara customer service was incredibly helpful as well as the team from Norscot.
NOT a 1 person job..
Tiara shaft some have end locking bolts on the shaft - mine had set screws.
Hardest part was taking off the coupler.
Detach from the transmission
spray with penetrating oil.
Put pressure on the coupler with the proper size puller.
Let sit and repeat.
Patience was the key … slow and steady.
At the end changed both cutlass bearings and shaft seals.
![[-]](https://www.tiaraownersclub.com/forum/images/netpen-pro/collapse.png)
