Alpha Drive Leaking

[Sydmoe]

I had noticed my bilge filling with water the last few times I was out. It was worse when underway. While I had someone else steer I tried to see where it was coming from. It appears to be coming from the drive shaft area which I assume means one of my bellows is leaking. I pulled the drive off today and there was alot of oil in the drive bellows. No water just oil. Is there a seal somewhere leaking? Where might it be leaking from? Is in nessasary to have the pivot hinge tool to get the bell housing off or does someone out there have a trick?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

Not a good trick, but a trick. The pins have a 12 point socket head. A bolt head will fit in there. Not sure what size...1/2 hex"? Places that sell threaded rod sell threaded connectors that are like really deep nuts. Find one that fits (1/2 hex"?), put it in the pin head. Then a socket and breaker bar. Should work. Break them free and torque them tight with the drive on. Mark them somehow to remind you because it will be awhile between when you put them back in and get the drive mounted. Definately wouldn't want to forget!<br /><br />Oh, and the leak could be coming from the shift cable bellows.<br /><br />Come to think if it, you can get allens for a socket wrench. 1/2" drive with a 1/2" allen?

 

[Rickles]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

It can be done without pulling the hinge pins but it's easier pulling it loose.It sounds like you have multiple issuse here.Is there water in the gear oil?Is the water inlet hose leaking?Does it leak sitting/eng.not running?

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

Ya it seems to leak a little while sitting. But more when under way. At first I thought it may be the exhaust pipe leaking somewhere but I ran it in the driveway on muffs for 10 -15 min and not a drop of water was in the bilge.

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

No water in the oil.

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

Why go to all that trouble (and risk of damage) when the correct hinge pin tool costs only $16!<br /><br />Chris..........

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

Good point! I didn't realize it was that cheap.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

I'm with Chris on this one. I recently pulled the bellhousing on my outdrive and used the right tool. (I bought one online a while back with some other parts, it was cheap). With as much torque as I applied getting it off, I cannot imagine using an allen wrench. It seems like it would have stripped for sure.

 

[qystan]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

Sydmoe<br />The oil in the bellow is from the outdrive. There is an oil seal behind the outdrive yoke. You will need the retainer wrench to get the retainer ring (the castle nut look alike ring) off.<br /><br />As for the water, you've got another problem. I have just found my leak, the stbd block drain plug was not installed. Slow leak because hole was plugged (saltwater operation & 1889 block), just bought boat in Nov last year. Rodded out block n replace plug. This may be your area or the freeze plugs. Underway, pump volume is higher than idle.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

Sydmoe, Is the oil in the bellows gear oil? (it will stink if it is) If so, you will need to replace the seal on the driveshaft, in the upper gearcase (behind the u joints). While you have it apart, check the yoke that the seal rides on for grooving. If so (and it's likely), you will need to replace the yoke as well.<br /><br />As for the bellows leaking. I do not think it is the driveshaft or exhaust bellows, since the exhaust bellows is full of water whenever the engine is shut off, and the oil in the driveshaft bellows would have been washed into your bilge by any leak. You need to check the shift cable bellows and the cold water hose intake hose for leaks. <br /><br />Also, I agree with Willie's suggestion. I have use the bolt couplers ($3) to remove the belhousing bolts without any problem.

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

I bought my Transom kit today from T.C.Electronic / Marine. He is right here in Toronto so I went over to pick it up. I asked him about the oil and he said the same as a couple of you already have suggested, the seal behind the yoke. He also mentioned you need a special wrench to get the nut off. He offered to do it for me so I don't have to by the wrench for the one time I need it. Real nice guy. I am going ot bring the drive over to him tommorrow.<br />Btw, I picked up the hinge tool from him so I am not going to try and screw around with some kinda make shift tool.

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

Why didn't you guys tell me it was near impossible to get the gimbal bearing out without a bearing puller. I have been busting my knuckles all night. Guess I will have to find someone to borrow one from

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

near impossible

Absolutely Totally Impossible is more like it...........

 

[itstim]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

I just finished a nightmare gimble bearing removel-homemade puller stand, mpp gas, drilling and a hellava lot of colorful French language! But it did work. Definitely not Mercruiser recommended stuff. Alot of engineering specification checking afterwards to be sure nothing was warped. This boat is the Poster Child for drive shaft bellows care!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

I don't know if you have them in Canada or not, but here in the States the auto parts store Autozone will loan tools - like slide hammers - for free. I just used one to pull a gimble bearing on my dad's boat. (Well, actually what they do is charge you for the tool as if you are purchasing it. Then you can either keep it or return it for a full refund. By returning it you aren't "scamming them" - they advertize this program. I use it frequently for those rarely used tools).

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

We have a big box store here called Canadian Tire (Crappy Tire to us locals). Don't be fooled by the name. It is a combination auto parts store/hardware store/sporting goods store/plumbing store.....you get the idea. They also have a loaner program that includes 30 different specialty tools but of course no slide hammer type bearing puller. <br /><br />I went to a local Tool Rental store and got one for $20 for the day. Worked like a charm.

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

is there anything I can use as a substitute if i have no belows glue?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

I understand 3M weatherstrip adhesive is essentially the same stuff.

 

[Sydmoe]

Re: Alpha Drive Leaking

I will have to see if I can find some of that,<br /><br />thanks