Alpha 1 problem???

[jonewby]

Let my good friend use my boat this past weekend. He's a CC inboard, lake only person with a lot of experience. Before he went out I "showed" him around for about an hour, briefed`him on tides, etc. and he seemed to be OK. Here's what happened - after cruising for a few hours he felt he was approaching the ramp too fast. He had already raised the drive (low tide and nasty current) pannicked, threw it into reverse and he thinks got to above 3000 RPM. He thinks the drive was all the way up. It's a 3.0, Alpha 1.

How concerned (PO'd) should I be? He did say he take care of any repairs.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Alpha 1 problem???

Well he could have damaged the u joints......
Start it & listen for any noise/vibration that you didn't hear before.....
Take it out on the water & do same......
If he didn't hit reverse for a prolonged time you are probably OK......
However, the drive should never be run in the trailer position, even at idle.....​

 

[thrasher]

Re: Alpha 1 problem???

What makes you think you have a problem? Is it making any noise? It is not recomended to rev the coupler up that high when the outdrive is fully raised, but if it was for a short time it might not have done any damage. You can either pull the outdrive and check the coupler for play by hand (the recomended solution), or continue to use the boat and just listen for any strange noises coming from the outdrive. If the coupler has been regularly greased and no water has got onto the coupler (ie it's in good condition), chances are it will be okay.

Gary

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 problem???

I would pull the outdrive and check the bellows for water and/or damage from the ujoints hitting the drive or transom shield. Either of which could be damaged and allow water in the bellows (Salt water will destroy a lot of things).
Just because it doesn't make any noise right now, doesn't mean it's ok.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Alpha 1 problem???

For the price of a $10 gasket set & an hour of your time, I agree it would be a good idea to pull the drive & visually inspect the input shaft, bellows, etc.......​

 

[jonewby]

Re: Alpha 1 problem???

Thanks to all. I did run it on muffs and couldn't hear anything strange but I'll pull the drive and check to be sure. Hopefully he'll only owe me a case of beer.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Alpha 1 problem???

I guess you never heard of the rule(This is the General audience version):

"Never lend out a boat or a wife. The never come back in the same condition"