1989 Mercruiser 5.7 with Alpha 1

[JWhit]

This may be a two part question but not sure. I have noticed a small leak from the back, at the transom/motor seal. The transom does feel a little soft in some spots so from reading appears that this would be the problem. I began taking off the outdrive yesterday, and there was a milky sludge in the u-joint bellows that did not appear to have much water considering it was in the water only an hour before. Could these be related or do i have one problem with a transom leak and another keeping gear oil out of the u-joint? Thanks for any advice, this boat/motor sat in the water for a long time and was seized when i got it

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 5.7 with Alpha 1

The two leaks are not related, so you have two separate problems.

In fact - it sounds like you SEVERAL big problems. Time to begin seeing if it makes sense to pour money into this boat or not.

 

[JWhit]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 5.7 with Alpha 1

Thanks for the info, i'll try to limp it for a while but agree not worth the work to replace the transom as the rest of the boat is in slightly rough shape

 

[JWhit]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 5.7 with Alpha 1

anybody know which seals to replace to keep the oil out of the u-joint bellows? Tried to look at the diagrams but not sure what the usual culprit is and read about a special tool i may need to do the job. at this point planning to fix that issue and then run for a season or two until the transom is leaking too bad

Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 5.7 with Alpha 1

Tried to look at the diagrams but not sure what the usual culprit is and read about a special tool i may need to do the job.

Ayuh,... It's usually the big 1 behind the yoke...

and then run for a season or two until the transom is leaking too bad

If the transom is Flexing, it ain't gonna last that long...
The constant misalignment will Destroy the coupler...

 

[JWhit]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 5.7 with Alpha 1

So do i need to order the seal kit for upper gear case or is there just one seal/ring that is likely causing the problem? Any special tools needed to do this?

Not sure how long it will last, I guess the other option is to clean the u-joint and let it ride

Thanks for any advice

 

[badbowtie]

Re: 1989 Mercruiser 5.7 with Alpha 1

There is one seal / oring right behind the u-joints and you need the big wrench that unscrews the spanner nut so you can get to it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004S6JR3S/ref=asc_df_B004S6JR3S1517941?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=pgmp-1474-95-20&creative=395165&creativeASIN=B004S6JR3S&linkCode=asm
Also you need to replace the u-joint bellow. Depends how bad the transom is it will not last long.