Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

[wsimpson]

My trim sender wires are cut just behind the bell house(see pic). Whats the best way to solder the wires back togeather? My other trim sender is working fine. I also see a hose that looks like it needs to be replaced(see pic). Anyone know what hose this is and whats the best way to get it out? I also need to run a pressure test. I have a leak from what looks to be is the upper unit shifter. Just had the lower shift seal replaced last year for a leak.

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[scutly]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

hey wayne
first thing ya have to do is go to the adults only section and download the manual for your drive and engine. tons of useful information there. those wires are for your trim limit sender and are gonna be impossible to reconnect without removing the drive and bell housing. depending on whats left of the wires behind the housing coming out of the transom, you may have to replace the whole sending unit. if not, solder and shrink tubing should do the trick. good news is that you have to do the same disassembly to replace your raw water intake hose which looks very dry rotted. no mystery here! very important hose, only thing that provides cooling water to your engine. while your in that deep, replace all your bellows. gotta figure there in sad shape like that hose. you can also pressure test your drive when its off.

 

[wsimpson]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

Thanks for the post. I can see the other ends of the wire so I should be able to solder and shrink wrap without any issues. Looks like a need to start shopping for hose and bellows. Where is the cheapest place to get these? I am guessing a automotive store would have the hose, but the rest would have to be ordered. I have already started a list for the heat exchanger end caps, exhaust shutters which i have only found one of the two. Need to find the other shutter or there will be issues down the line.

What is the best way to pressure test? Do I need to buy a tool for this or can it been done with a air compressor?

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[scutly]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

my personal opinion is to stay outa the auto parts store when fixing my boat. i dont know what year your drive is, but you will find transom kits here. i never had to do a pressure test yet but i've read about them here. i think its only like 10 to 12 lbs of pressure needed. a compressor may blow the seals out on ya. guys have made a tester with a bike pump and a quart fluid pump. go to #8 in the "how to" section of the adults only area.

 

[wsimpson]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

So I was getting ready to do my bellows, trim senders and water house. Put the Sierra hinge pin tool in and broke the first one loose and went to break the second one loose and the hinge pin tool just broke off without much force. So I am now waiting for a new one in the mail. I have been doing some looking on the internet and someone said a 1/2 inch Allen would fit just fine. Anyone try this before?


My next question is putting the bellows on which I am really starting to worry about. I have been reading on installing them and sounds like a nightmare. I am wishing I bought the tool to put these on, but I have also read someone had boiled these and it made them go on a lot better. Anyone ever try this method? Do the bellows need to be glued? Some people do and some don't on here. I know the manual tells you to glue them, but I didnt know if it was still a necessity.

Thanks for the help,
Wayne

Maybe I will make it out to the lake.... This year... Maybe not..

 

[bomar76]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

Heat the hinge pin to release the blue Loctite they are installed with then you won't break tools.
An Allen wrench works fine.
I used a Sierra bellows once, never again.
As far as gluing, you say some do and some don't on here. Don't know why one more opinion would matter if it's just a popularity vote, but the manual says to glue it. Usually there is a reason for everything in it.

 

[wsimpson]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

I used a Sierra bellows once, never again.
.

I have not heard any issues with the Sierra bellows. This is the only brand I could find. Has anyone else had issues?

 

[scutly]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

I have not heard any issues with the Sierra bellows. This is the only brand I could find. Has anyone else had issues?

on certain parts, aftermarket brands like Sierra are made with less quality than genuine Mercruiser/Quicksilver parts. from what I've learned here, bellows and impeller pump kits fall into that category. try a authorized Mercruiser dealer for the bellows or online.

 

[wsimpson]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

OK, I stripped my second hinge pin tool... I used a hair dryer for about 10 minutes and it didnt even budge. I am running up to the store to get a 1/2 allen and a tourch. This thing is coming off even if I have to cut it off! MY question is how much heat is to much? I dont want to burn the shims in between the gimbal and the bell housing. Should I heat the bolt from the outside?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

I used a hair dryer for about 10 minutes and it didnt even budge.

Ayuh,... That Ain't Heat....

Get a propane torch,+ you want about 400? to 500?.... Not red, but HOT...

 

[bomar76]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

ok, i stripped my second hinge pin tool... I used a hair dryer for about 10 minutes and it didnt even budge

roflmao

 

[JustJason]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

At least he didn't try to blow dry his hair with a heat gun

 

[wsimpson]

Re: Alpha Drive Trim Sender Wires/Mystery Hose/Pressure Test

Thanks Bondo! That did the trick. 24" breaker bar and the 1/2 Allen socket with the torch and they came right out. I wouldn't waste the money on the hinge pin tool. Picked up the Allen sock at Auto Zone foe eleven bucks.

Tomorrow is the bellows....