Calling all MeCruiser geniuses

[JoeRJGR]

All,

These pictures show indentations in the gimbal bearing housing of a MC alpha one outdrive. According to MC these are considered "weep holes", and the only time you need to be concerned about them is when the boat is laid up for the winter. They need to be open so water "weeps" out of the outdrive and does not freeze and cause damage.

Can someone explain to me how the "weep" hole allows water to escape from the outdrive when the gasket that goes between the gimbal bearing housing and the outdrive is on the inside of the ":weep" hole and thus a sold connection is made between the housing and the outdrive? I was thinking it could act as a freeze plug does and push out the gasket if it freezes, but there is too much contact between the two housings for that to be true...

Please enlighten me...

Thanks for your help.

 

[Bt Doctur]

you might be reading into something thats not there. no weep holes there just solid aluminum
Although some upper housings do have weep/drain holes

 

[JoeRJGR]

Nope...my manual states they are there and I looked on a brand new MC outdrive at a local marina and you see them from the outside....also talked to the mechanic at said marina

 

[Bt Doctur]

what manual , no water will ever leak from that area unless the mounting gasket has been compromised

 

[Bt Doctur]

what page http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[JoeRJGR]

In my book, dated 1983 (my alpha one is a 1984) its on page 16 (important information). The arrows point to all "weep" holes which are suppose to be open before laying the boat up in freezing temperatures. It suggest putting a piece of wire in the hole to make sure its open. The arrow I focused on is the one which I am talking about. You can see how it looks like slit between the gimbal bearing housing and the outdrive...not making this up folks...

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... That manual picture is wrong,........ it happens,....

 

[JoeRJGR]

What? And the instructions are wrong as well? And me crawling under a brand new boat in a showroom to see they exact same weep holes on a new boat was wrong and then asking a mechanic at the shop what they were for and he said "weep" holes for winter storage....all wrong?

 

[Fishermark]

There is a weep hole near the bottom of the lower unit, near the leading edge. It should be cleared so that any trapped water can flow out. But yes, I agree with the others - the indentations you are pointing out, (and that are pointed out by the arrow you posted), are not weeps holes.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the indentations there are tool reliefs for getting a small pry bar between the case halves to help splitting the drive

weep holes are literally holes that go into the internal cavities.

 

[GA_Boater]

Did you ask the mechanic about weep holes in general or that particular slot?

A slot is not a weep hole. Is there a hole in the upper that is matches up with the slot?

 

[JoeRJGR]

Wow - You guys are too much....I have included the pictures from the mercrusier maintenance manual that came with the boat in 1984 which clearly shows a gap between the outdrive and the gimbal housing. In fact every place there is an arrow is suppose to be a weep hole as it states. I assume on my unit the smaller holes near the back of the upper unit were painted over several years ago...

I asked the mechanic specifically about the area between the two upper bolt holes...which he confirmed....which lines up exactly with my original shots of gimbal housing.

I am trying to figure out how these work and I am puzzled by it. But since Mercury wrote a manual that includes arrows detailing what they are I am not questioning it as everyone else is.. The point is kinda moot when no one believes what the manual says...

And by the way, no where in my manual does its say to to put a pry bar between the housing and the outdrive to remove the outdrive....

 

[JoeRJGR]

 

[Bt Doctur]

The picture is wrong, that merc mechanic is wrong. there are no drain holes in a gimbal housing, there are or were drain holes in the upper housing on each side . most get painted over
If you feel that we`re really wrong, then go drill some hole thru there and let us know what leaks where

 

[GA_Boater]

Is there a hole in the upper that is matches up with the slot?

Have you looked? No hole means no weep hole to probe.

I see no hole to probe.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

OK -- but the laws of physics are constant -- and water does not pass through solid aluminum.

Also --if water can run out it can also enter back in especially if if submerged -- That's why drainage is typically on exhaust cavity's which are cooled with water and drive train components are dry and protected with gaskets , bellows etc.


I suppose you could always Just drill a few big holes where ever and see what for yourself what happens. :drum:

 

[JoeRJGR]

There is no slot that matches up on the outdrive....

 

[JoeRJGR]

The picture is wrong, that merc mechanic is wrong. there are no drain holes in a gimbal housing, there are or were drain holes in the upper housing on each side . most get painted over
If you feel that we`re really wrong, then go drill some hole thru there and let us know what leaks where

I guess we never went to the moon either? Merc mechanics and manuals are wrong....

 

[Rick Stephens]

Either the pic is wrong or you are reading it wrong. Arrows pointing at items noted as 'a' are not weep holes. Maybe the arrows coming from 'b' which is not in your picture, do, as they point to the lower housing where the weep holes are..

Aggressive attacks on people who truly are experts on this forum doesn't change the fact that those relief slots do not lead, on any drive, to a place where water can be drained.

 

[JoeRJGR]

If you read what the book says the uppers are called "Drive Shaft Housing Water Drain Holes"...(two each side). two being the ones I mentioned were painted over and the other two are the ones I'm talking about. The one on the bottom is considered the "Gear Housing Water Drain Hole".