Alpha one leaking problem

[Yella Bird]

Okay guys I've got a 1986 Alpha one outdrive on a boat that a just got. I just replaced all the bellows and made sure all the fittings in the gimble housing were water tight or to the best of my ability. Here's the deal, I filled up the lower housing until the oil started dripping out of the upper housing and closed it up and ran the boat. I get back home pull the upper housing cap off and the green gear oil that i put in is now milky white. Where do i start to determine where the water leek is coming from. Thanks.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Alpha one leaking problem

You could pressure/vacuum test the drive to determine which seals are leaking.<br />On a 20 year old drive,I would recommend a complete reseal.All the seals are old,dry,hard.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one leaking problem

Was the old gear lube that came in the drive when you first got it milky?<br />Could be bad plug gaskets. They are only paper, and should be replaced EVERY time the plugs are removed.<br />Also, pull the drive back off and make sure there is no water in the bellows. Even if it is new.<br />The square cross sectioned gasket (a in the drawing below) could also have been damaged when installing the drive. That also should have been new. <br />And by all means do like DHP mentioned and drain the drive and pressure and vacuum check it.<br /><br />

 

[Yella Bird]

Re: Alpha one leaking problem

When you pressure/vacuum test does the out drive have to be on or of the boat?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha one leaking problem

Off is a little more practicable.........

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one leaking problem

Plus, you have to have it off to check that water didn't get into the bellows again.<br />There is no seal in the front of the drive designed to keep water out of the drive. The bellows is supposed to do that.<br /><br />What about the previous oil, did it have water in it?