out drive oil in bildge

[fat fanny]

After getting my electrical issues nailed down finally. I noticed that I now have a significant outdrive oil leak in my bilge (3.0LX 95 alpha 1 gen 2) I do know it's not coming from the resivior bottle fittings no oil residue what so ever on tube and or fittings. Would it most likely be the seal to the outdrive coupler? Any thoughs and or advice would be great as I have not yet ventured into the outdrive as far as repair but am ready as ever to nail this down because a leak in my rig is just unacceptable. Oh! and one other thing I did refill the resivoir bottle and by the time I traveled from one end of the lake to the other it was almost enpty I believe about a pint so it is a significant leak but it didn't have a pint in the bilge???? I would assume a pressure test would be in order but one thing I do know is back around the rear of the engine is hard to see and get to but if need be bulkhead will have to come out. Thanx in advance.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Gear oil in the bilge is most likely the upper carrier seal and maybe a grooved yoke.
You remove the drive to pressure test it.Losing gear oil is sign of a leak.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Doc so what your saying is upper drive seal? or to pressure test the outdrive it must be off? I believe the seal as the culprit because when I changed the drive oil that is when the leak started? maybe to much pressure on the bottle when putting oil in blew the seal? resivoir cap was off and all plugs out when refilling a little more claification would be great and I do greafully appricieate the reply wjth the nfo Thanx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hank496]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Pressure testing may not be helpful. We just went through this with a BIII. Last season we had oil in the bilge. This spring we pressure tested the drive. It was fine. So they looked for other things. Without going into a long list of wasted effort, we skip ahead to a couple weeks ago. There is still oil in the bilge. But it is green, so we know it is gear oil. This then leads to replacing the bottle, hose and transom fitting but does not solve the problem.

So we haul the boat, and get the drive pulled, about a quart drains out of the drive shaft bellows.

Turns out the upper seal is gone, and the yoke is grooved. By the way, Mercruiser does not sell just the yoke...........

 

[Don S]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

If you can't find a leak at the reservoir, hose or connection to the transom shield, pull the drive. It will be obvious where the leak is.

By the way, Mercruiser does not sell just the yoke...........

They sure sell them for Alpha's, PN 46020T for the OEM part, and even as aftermarket from Sierra 18-2125.

 

[sparky71]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

I had the same problem with my alpha (groove on input shaft)and I ended up putting a sleeve on it.2 1/2 years later no problems no leaks works great.I don't see much mention of people doin this on here but mine has worked great.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

So @ least I'm looking @ an input shaft seal? And by pulling the outdrive will the seal be obtainable? I kinda find it hard to believe the shaft has a grove in it due to the fact this occurred right after I changed the outdrive fluid and it just started leaking boat had not ran for over 2 weeks I think when pushing fluid up through the drive added to much pressure to the oil bottle and blew the seal ? @ least I'm hoping so. I would like to thank everyone for thier input and knowledge on this issue

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Well, it is 15 years old. the OEM original seal is available from any good auto parts store
National 712250.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Doc thanx for the reply and I had to change to the house PC to look @ my service manual for my outdrive (lap top not enough storage space) I hope I was clear on the type of fluid in the bildge ( OUTDRIVE) I looked @ the assembly print on the service manual for my alpha 1 gen 2 and had a hard time finding the culprit seal. is it part of the transom shield ? or is it the seal from the yolk on the outdrive leg itself? and or both because of the fact it's leaking through the bellows to the bildge via the seal ? forgive my temporary ignorance in this matter but this won't last for long after the repair. Besides the tools required to remove the drive what other tools may be needed to complete this task?? Thanx again!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

#19 http://mercstuff.com/fichec.htm
National 712250

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Thanx again Doc so I'm basically just looking at a spanner wrench for the retainer removal?

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Woulld really appricieate some clarification before pulling outdrive and replacing oil seal. Does the hole universal yolk shaft and bearing asssembly come out as a whole when you remove the spanner wrench nut ? Or is a puller required to remove it from the hosing? Just looking to get my ducks in a row before starting.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

loosen the nut with the spanner, and just pull, input shaft to drive gear pulls out as a unit.
14 still here http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Doc a couple more? would the grease seal in the transom assembly be bad as well since the OD oil is leaking into the bilge via the oil seal ? Isn't that the last seal between the oils seal and the bilge it's self? besides being incased in the bellows. Also the tool price tab would not open on the info link you gave me I need a ball park on the universal retainer nut wrench and is the torque critical? Once again thanx a million for your immediate replies hopefully I can return the favor some day.
Thanx Rick

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Well I finally got the outdrive off the rig today only took less thaan 5 minutes and as the BT Doctor said it was definatly the oil seal. The bellows poured out I bet @ least a 1/2 qrt of fluid and when I removed the yoke drive shaft and bearing assemble the seal was really flat and lose on the journal of the shaft ( no grove though). I was suprised @ the condition of my gears no bad wear marks @ all and all the bearings were still in good order not bad for a 14 yr old rig even the gimbal spun real nice no drag all the bellows were also in good order no signs of water intrusion @ all. I did not have the spanner wrench to reinstall the bearing castle nut but made a O.D. spanner tool years ago that I clamped a 3/8 socket to and torqued it to the required 5.5 ft lbs for a used bearing as stated in the merc service manual (sure glad I downloaded those manuals onto discs) the reinstall was a little tricky for a first timmer but I got it and if it wasn't for removing the shaft out of the outdrive it would have been easier. I also have to say for all the props my son has wasted while pulling me on skis the gimbal bearing was dead on with my alignment bar that's the only good luck I have had ths summer so far and lovin it besides when I called the marina and the servie guy actually answered the phone and said they were open til 8:00 pm WOW on a Sunday and the seal and complete gasket kit was only 24 bucks man I'm lovin it. I still have to pressure test yet (gotta get some fitting to make gauge ) and then fill with fluid if all goes well there and run her all week this comming week end . I would like to express my thanx to DonS and the BT Doctor for thier help.

 

[chaparall villain 2]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

i just had the same problem with my alpha and it was the upper seal and the yolk grooved ... because the shimming tools cost so much i went on and took it to a dealer and for the seal , yolk and install it was about 450.00 but it did save me money because i just took them the outdrive. i figure if you dont know someone with all the tools you need to do it , its just not worth taking a chance but thats just me

 

[fat fanny]

Re: out drive oil in bildge

Almost ready to close the book on this thread but awaiting run on the water tommorrow. Today I finally got the correct fittings for the pressure testing gauge and she held 15psi for over 2 hours but! my vacum gauge fittings proved to be more of a challenge and was unable to perform the vacum test. I went to fire her up and nada! some A-hole siphoned the fuel out of my rig bone dry so as the story tommorrows another day. But I am pleased so far no leaks and everythings ship shape (knock wood) I will post back with sea trail results tommorrow evening and thanx to all that gave input.