Alpha 1 Gen 2 Outdrive Repair

4sonsandaboat

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Jun 22, 2020
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Hello...I'm new to this forum but hope someone out there can help me. I have a 2004 Ebbtide 2400 Mystique with the Alpha 1 Gen 2 Outdrive. Bought the boat in 2018 at the end of season with around 350 hours on boat and motor(Mercruiser). Hours are around 410 now. I did the service at the end of season last year and noticed gear oil was a little grey, so guessing water getting in somewhere. Didn't dig in at that point, but I'm only a couple of months into use this summer and have some issues. Losing gear oil pretty regularly somewhere inside...because I haven't seen any slick in the water. Also, it's coming out plug when I open up after use. Also, noticed noise when in forward gear turning right or left...think that could be U-joint. I've got an appointment for mechanic but not until July. I've jumped in myself and dropped the lower unit today. Planning to go at it and see if I can figure things out on my own, and if not I can always take to mechanic. Question of the day. Lower gear shaft(prop shaft) spins good...no noise or play. Upper shaft(through the impeller) makes a good bit of noise when turning. I'm not sure how it should sound? Is that the gears spinning or should it be fairly quiet? If not, are bearings the concern or gears? Just don't know how it should sound. Any guidance is appreciated, and sorry for the long post. Thanks friends!
 

alldodge

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Howdy
What does the gear lube look like now?

The gears should be fairly quite
 

4sonsandaboat

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Jun 22, 2020
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Oil actually looked pretty good when I drained to drop the lower unit, pretty blue...not milky at all. Oil only has about 15 hours on it to be fair, so not a lot of time to leak. Guessing it's a slow leak. Thinking about making a pressure tester. Shaft seals look good...at least visually. Can't see shift shaft seals because it's a sealed unit that houses speedo tube as well. Thinking this might be the culprit.
 

alldodge

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If you didn't see lube in the bellows, check the lube bottle tube. They can crack and leak
 

4sonsandaboat

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Jun 22, 2020
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Great...thank you! Do you think the noise turning right or left could be the u-joint? Sounds fine moving straight ahead.
 

alldodge

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Turning noise has always been either U joint or gimbal bearing
 
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