1998 Mercruiser lower unit repair

[kpoly]

I just bought a 1998 boat and with a mercruiser outdrive discovered there is a knick in the lower unit 6" above the bullet where gear oil is leaking out, very slowly. Can the lower unit be welded to fix this defect. Looks like the previous owner may have hit something and now it looks though someone took a chisel and hit the lower unit right in the middle. Looks like it could be repaired but now sure if the patch would hold. Thanks.

 

[alldodge]

Can you post a pic?

 

[tpenfield]

How 'bout some Duct Tape :noidea: . . .

Yes, a picture would be good. I assume this was missed during the pre-purchase review. Also, is it the Alpha or the Bravo Mercruiser?

 

[kpoly]

I'll be down to the boat this week-end and post a pic. Alpha Gen 2 outdrive.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Hard part with welding it is getting it perfectly clean when there is oil present on the other side of the weld. If clean, it will weld. If not clean, it won't weld. That simple.

 

[Bt Doctur]

6 inches directly above the bullet ,there is no oil chamber?

 

[Bondo]

6 inches directly above the bullet ,there is no oil chamber?

Ayuh,.... That would put it 'bout where the drain hole is for that pocket ahead of the shift spool, Right,..?

 

[Bt Doctur]

I currently have a GEN II on the bench , will grab a few pics. THe drain hole in only about 3-4 inches.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Is it possible we're talking about the pitot tube hole?

 

[Bt Doctur]

But that is right on the edge about the correct height but it would take a severe impact there to lose oil

 

[Rick Stephens]

But that is right on the edge about the correct height but it would take a severe impact there to lose oil

Some of crack between tube and shift shaft maybe? If so, should be oil in the speedo plastic tube which would show if the coupler were pulled loose and inspected.

 

[kpoly]

No Title

Looked at the lower unit and the notch in the leading edge of the outdrive is about 3-4 inches above the bullet. Must be for the speedo and with Gen2 outdrive new to me, have never seen this setup. The photo shows the outdrive in black and you can see the notch just above the bullet. I did detect gear oil or some type of oil on the skeg and will look at the drain and fill plugs to make sure they are tight. Thanks to all for helping me understand this issue. Never realized the speedo was in the outdrive.