Water or not in Gear Lube??????

[SteveRay]

I checked the drive oil in my Alpha I Gen II and feared that it was milky, and I drained it. What is considered good and what is considered milky? Seems to be difficult to describe and I don't want to destroy my outdrive. I pulled the drive for now and was going to have it looked at. Is it ok to leave it without gear lube for a couple days? Here is a pic of what came out

 

[Don S]

Re: Water or not in Gear Lube??????

Yep, that's milky and indicates water. Shouldn't be a problem for a couple of days without oil.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Water or not in Gear Lube??????

Don S....How extensive do the repairs for this usually get? A rough ballpark of price to fix?<br />If its seals it shouldn't be too bad right?

 

[Don S]

Re: Water or not in Gear Lube??????

Impossible to say.<br />If you don't know what's leaking, you can't estimate how much it's going to cost to fix. Right?<br />The first thing to do is a pressure and vacuum check to locate the problem. Have you pulled the outdrive off the boat? Was there water in the bellows? If water is in the bellows, the input shaft seal is not designed to keep water out, only gear lube in the drive.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Water or not in Gear Lube??????

Don....Yes I did pull the drive. Absolutely no water in the bellows at all. Gimbal felt real smooth. I guess I will bring the drive and have them test it out. The drive doesn't have to be on the boat for the service to be done correct? I would rather just bring the drive instead of the entire boat since the drive is already off. <br />Thanks again for all your help and rapid responses. I wouldn't even be this far if it wasn't for you guys and your insight and suggestions of "get a manual" Worth every penny!

 

[Don S]

Re: Water or not in Gear Lube??????

They can test drive only. It's actually better to test it off the boat because you can see all the places better.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Water or not in Gear Lube??????

Thanks again Don!