Can water enter lower unit from speedometer tube?

[tschritz]

I have an 94' Alpha One outdrive and noticed the speedo tube was broken at the plastic clip on the drive side. I shoved the tube back in and epoxied/sealed it, but I'm wondering if water can enter the outdrive through the speedotube if I didn't seal it all the way?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Can water enter lower unit from speedometer tube?

No the tube is not connected to your drive, it is an air tube that goes to the speedo itself. Since it makes a path that is well above waterline going forward you did not need to epoxy it in unless it's entry point is at risk of being submerged.

 

[tschritz]

Re: Can water enter lower unit from speedometer tube?

Well it the plastic clip broke off in the drive...so it will definetly be submerged as that is below the waterline. The tube itself didn't break just the clip. So that tube doesn't actually go into the working components of the drive?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Can water enter lower unit from speedometer tube?

The tube just goes to a small hole in the front of the lower unit it is a speedo pick up and has nothing to do with the lower's cavity where the gears and oil reside. If you feel along the front of the drive you should feel what feels like a small nick or notch. This is where the water enters.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Can water enter lower unit from speedometer tube?

Water really shouldn't enter too much anyway, at least while underway. It works off of air pressure, the air inside the line/pitot inlet doesn't have any way to escape, so the water pressure just compresses the air in the line. No water intrusion should occur regardless of whether the tube is hooked up or not.