Alpha one still leaking

frogger

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Sep 17, 2003
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My alpha one has been leaking drive oil. When trailered (trim fully up), it leaks from the drain hole just above the shift linkage. When trim down, it leaks from the drain hole on the lower unit just below the lower unit rear mounting bolts.<br /><br />I changed the upper seals and it still leaks. Is there anything else it could be? It seems, to me, that from where the oil is leaking from, gravity wouldn't allow the oil to come from anywhere but the upper gear housing. Am I wrong?<br /><br />Thanks in advance!
 

crazy charlie

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May 22, 2003
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Re: Alpha one still leaking

When you put the 2 halves bach together,did you replace a tiny o ring between the halves,next to the water pump housing?????Charlie
 

frogger

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Re: Alpha one still leaking

I have never seperated the upper and lower units. The only thing I changed was the the two seals in the upper gear housing. Which only required me to loosen the yoke and remove the driven gear.
 

crazy charlie

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Re: Alpha one still leaking

I believe to do the whole seal job you have to seperate and change a seal inside the upper half where the drive shaft slides in.It looks like it is a housing with 4 bolts.Also when the drive shaft slides into this housing there is a rubber o ring just like the ones on the end if the shaft that goes into the engine coupler.There are also seals under the water pump housing.You should consider splitting the halves and checking everything.Charlie
 

frogger

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Re: Alpha one still leaking

If the leak is coming from the lower half, is it possible for the oil to be exiting from where it is? It just doesn't seem like its possible with out the engine running. However, I could be very wrong!
 

crazy charlie

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Re: Alpha one still leaking

Describe where it is coming from,I can not get it from your post description.Charlie
 

frogger

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Sep 17, 2003
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Re: Alpha one still leaking

I didn't take any good pictures of my outdrive but here are a couple pics I found on the net to hopefully help describe where my oil is exiting.<br /><br /> Alpha One Pictures <br /><br /> Side view: Just below the yellow "note" tag there is a bolt that secures the lower half. Right below that bolt on the lower half is a drain hole. It leaks out of this drain hole when the trim is fully down. <br /><br /> Back view: The pink "warning" tag is attached to the shift coupler. Above the shift coupler is a drain hole. The leak comes from this drain hole when the trim is fully up (trailered).<br /><br />If this is not clear, I can take some pictures of my drive tonite.
 

merc 140 pontoon

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Aug 23, 2003
Messages
129
Re: Alpha one still leaking

Because of that leak from the upper drain hole, I don't think the cause is a missing quad seal between the two halves. But I would still separate the halves and have a look. Buy the new quad seal first. While you have it apart, replace the water pump impeller, upper housing, lower base, and all pump gaskets ($80 or so), if you haven't done it this year.<br /><br />Steve
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Alpha one still leaking

hello<br /> it almost looks like a lower drive shaft seal leak. can you look at the shft while the drive is off and see oil trackink down the drive shaft?<br /> if the waterpump has not been done i a long time then change it. on the alpha 1 gen II the new pump kit comes with the lower case drive shaft seal carrier and seal assy.<br /> looks like a shop there. why not just pressure test it and look for oil or use dawn dish soap and a brush while its at about 12 psi.<br /> good luck and keep us posted
 

frogger

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Sep 17, 2003
Messages
25
Re: Alpha one still leaking

Originally I could see the oil tracking down the drive shaft. I changed the two seals in the upper housing and this disappeared. By the way, I looked at the oil from the drain plug on the LU and there is NO water in the oil.
 

P.V.

Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 14, 2002
Messages
452
Re: Alpha one still leaking

Usually it's the shift shaft and seal. Located at the fwd lower unit.
 

Wellcraft 89

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Aug 5, 2002
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158
Re: Alpha one still leaking

Presure test then chk with soapy solution.<br />shift shaft seal is common in that area.<br /><br />Rich
 

Skinsk

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Aug 31, 2003
Messages
128
Re: Alpha one still leaking

How did you change the two drive shaft seals in the drive shaft housing, without splitting the two halves?!<br /><br />Scott..
 

frogger

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Joined
Sep 17, 2003
Messages
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Re: Alpha one still leaking

Took off the drive, removed the top cover to the upper gear housing, loosened the spanner nut for the yoke and slid the yoke and drive gear out, next I pulled the driven gear out. The seals can be manipulated out with a screw driver.<br /><br />Thanks for all your help gentlemen! I'm going to work on it tomorrow, I'll keep you posted.
 

frogger

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Sep 17, 2003
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Re: Alpha one still leaking

Oh yeah, can I have instructions on pressure testing please. Thanks.
 
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