alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

[jeepofino]

I have installed new impellar and all in alpha one sterndrive and when doing an air pressure test had a leak. Is there supposed to be sealant or a gasket between the upper and lower halves. It is on a mercruiser 898 ski boat Thanks.

 

[ziggy]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Is there supposed to be sealant or a gasket between the upper and lower halves.

no gasket, but there is a quad ring that goes between the two. it's located starboard side of the water pump housing. usually a little orange ring. this is where the gear lub is transferred between the upper and lower. this is the only seal between upper and lower...

the rectangle area starboard of the water pump.

the quad ring itself. it comes in the impeller replacement kit.

 

[jeepofino]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Thanks I bought the kit so I should have that ring! Hopefully that was my leak.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

I have the same problem, I was going to put some gasket maker around the outer edges but now I'll have to investigate that ring.

 

[aldfaa]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

the quad ring itself. it comes in the impeller replacement kit.

I have a 96 Alpha 2 and purchased impellar kit # 817275Q 4 and the quad ring was not included. Looks like the P/N I need is 26-45577 but is no longer avalible through Merc. Guess I'll go GLM or Sierra.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

I just went to Advance Auto and bought a mixed size O-ring package that has an O-Ring dangerously close to the size of that orange one. It's not a perfect fit but I put some gasket maker around it and the part of the upper that it attaches to and it worked like a gem. Cost, $3.

 

[jeepofino]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

I found the ring and installed it, put the halves back together and air tested...I'm still leaking. It's not just going out as fast as you put it in but it is leaking. I have the drive off and no oil in it, a fitting on the bottom to put air in. Am I testing correctly? Also is there another ring that goes on over the o-ring that fits in the hole...I have one that is about that size

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Looks like the P/N I need is 26-45577 but is no longer avalible through Merc.

It's still available, all you have to do is go to your local Mercruiser dealer and get one for a couple of bucks. That part is supposed to be in any of the OEM impeller or pump kits. If it wasn't, then you should complain to the ones you bought it from, they would probably give you one.

It's not a perfect fit but I put some gasket maker around it and the part of the upper that it attaches to and it worked like a gem. Cost, $3.

A new OEM part is less than that, and you should be able to get one at any Mercruiser dealer.

I have the same problem, I was going to put some gasket maker around the outer edges but now I'll have to investigate that ring.

Kind of amazing what some people will do to keep from doing something right. Ever heard of a "Service Manual" and using the right parts?????

 

[ziggy]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

a fitting on the bottom to put air in. Am I testing correctly?

i think so. i've tested from either/or, vent/or drain. ya can also test the halves separately. ya just gotta fig. a way to plug the gear lub passage.

Also is there another ring that goes on over the o-ring that fits in the hole

no.

sounds to me like it's time for some water and soap and test to see if ya can see soap bubbles coming from the leak while pressurized..

 

[jeepofino]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Thanks Ziggy, soap and water it'll be. I do believe it's in the top half but seperating them will help locate it.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Kind of amazing what some people will do to keep from doing something right. Ever heard of a "Service Manual" and using the right parts?????

I have a service manual and use it frequently. Besides, I already had had an O-Ring to fit it so why would I go buy another one?

 

[ziggy]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

I already had had an O-Ring to fit it so why would I go buy another one?

imho, because it's not an oring. it's also a critical location for keeping water out. water intrusion into a drive can be catastrophic for gears and brgs... for pocket change, why take the chance...

 

[Brewman61]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

I have a service manual and use it frequently. Besides, I already had had an O-Ring to fit it so why would I go buy another one?

Because if you buy on OEM or OEM equivalent, it will be a perfect fit vs "close enough", and it will be suited for it's intended purpose. How would you know this about an off the shelf part? What it it's not up to the job?

If you have a service manual, and use it frequently, why would you consider adding "instant gasket" where it's not called for?

It's your outdrive, but for a couple bucks personally I'd prefer the security of knowing my work arounds didn't contribut to a $2K outdrive failure. Remote possiblity? Perhaps.

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

I have a service manual and use it frequently.

If you have a manual, you aren't using it, or you wouldn't make statements like this:

I have the same problem, I was going to put some gasket maker around the outer edges but now I'll have to investigate that ring.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Alright, alright. Despite my desire to improvise with what I have on hand I can't argue. You are correct, that you should use the right part as small as it may be and a service manual goes a long way. However, you don't have to be a jerk about it on a forum where people are trying to learn about how to work on their boats. I was only saying I WAS going to use gasket maker, as in I WAS THINKING about using it...didn't say I did use it. Anyway, the "o-ring" I used WAS a perfect fit, not "close enough", and it worked...so what's the beef about? I didn't think you guys would get so bent out of shape because I expressed a thought about thinking of how to troubleshoot a problem...I don't always go straight to the manual everytime there's a problem, sometime I like to think about it first and then read up on it. Jeepofino, sorry your thread got hijacked with all this nonsense.

 

[jeepofino]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

No Problem. My leak appears to be coming up through where the shift goes down into the bottom. I seperated the halves and stopped up the grease hole with the ring that got so much attention and soaped it. It is seeping around where the shift gear goes down.

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

You need a new shift shaft bushing, and the tool to replace it.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...97403--submit.Search--submit.x.36--submit.y.5

 

[jeepofino]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Thanks, I'll order those and the gaskets between outdrive and bell housing and should be on the air.

 

[jeepofino]

Re: alpha 1 putting upper and lower together

Hey Don when ordering should I get the serial # off my sterndrive and also is it much trouble to get the bushing out for reference before ordering? Are there 2 gaskets between sterndrive and bell housing?