cracked lower unit alpha 1

[popo4fun]

I have a 1996 sea ray. It has the 350 chevy engine and a mercrusier alpha 1 drive (I think and not sure if a gen 1 or 2). I live in nashville tn and we just had our first really hard freeze and well guess what i went out to see a milky oilly substance leaking from a crack in the lower unit. The crack is around the bullet shaped black metal. I am wondering can i fix it with like a j.b.weld or do i have to but a whole lower unit...if so what is a fair price for a used unit...and for labor?...I know it is a lot to cover but i have read a lot of the post and answers in her and some of you guys are really educated and experienced in this stuff...thanks in advace for all your advice.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

If you can post a pic please but at the top of the page they have sei drives for sale. Might be your best option.

Post the pic first.

 

[popo4fun]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

ok i will try to post a pic but i am not the most internet savey person..lol...if it helps the crack is at the front of the bullet part of the lower unit and it goes actually around the front. So the crack is about 2 inches long on left side then soes to the front of it..towards the boat. it is a hairline scrack that had a grayish colored grease dripping out of it..hope that helps.

 

[Bondo]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

or do i have to but a whole lower unit...if it helps the crack is at the front of the bullet part of the lower unit and it goes actually around the front. So the crack is about 2 inches long on left side then soes to the front of it..towards the boat. it is a hairline scrack that had a grayish colored grease dripping out of it..hope that helps.

Ayuh,...

At the very Minimum,... You need a New Housing,....
You should have Winterized your boat,...
Changing the outdrive oil would have alerted you to the fact your outdrive is Leaking...

You can get a New SEI lowerunit to replace your's for about $700....
Or,.. a Complete outdrive for twice that...

If you go with Just the lower unit,...
You Still have to find Where the Water came from...

Your drive Should be a Gen.II....

 

[popo4fun]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

well being a new boat owner I thought antifreeze in the block and manifolds was all i needed to do..and I just found this site a few days ago..but anyway i found a mechanic locally that will replace the housing unit and also install a new water pump and new seals and gaskets for 375...does that seem fair? He said that he would do some type of pressure and vacuum testing..what is that? Also by replacing those things will he be able to tel if there is further damage? What should I look for when i test drive it after it is reparied? I apoligize for my ignorance but this is my first boat with an I/O. Thanks.

 

[sailfish252]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

Before you put any money into the drive make sure the engine is ok. If you did not drain the oil cooler that may be damaged as well. $375.00 for a housing, w/p and a reseal is a very good price...almost too good. Anyway a pressure and vacuum test is to determine if oil is leaking out (pressure) or is getting drawn in (vacuum) through a bad seal. A bad seal will almost always fail in either direction that is why you probally had water in the uint in the first place. GOOD LUCK

 

[popo4fun]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

what and where is the oil cooler...lol...I thought it was cooled by water from the lake..I guess i am an idiot...lol. I did not change it...all I did was let out the 4 drain plugs. Both sides for the block and the manifolds...then anfter they drained i put the plugs back in and filled them up with appox 2.5 to 3 gallons of antifreeze.

 

[Bondo]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

well being a new boat owner I thought antifreeze in the block and manifolds was all i needed to do..

Ayuh,... That protects the motor's Cooling System... That's it...

If you'd have Drained the oil from the Outdrive,...
You'd have found the fact that it's Leaking water into the oil in the drive....

You Didn't, Water Did,... Now you've got a Broken Boat...

Up in the Adults Only sticky on this forum has many links to explain Winterization, Summerization,+ a host of Other, Need to Know stuff...

 

[popo4fun]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

well instead of sitting back and acting like a "told you so" butthole Mr. Bond-o you should actually try to help answer the questions...like the fellow Don that is on here..I wish he would answer my questions...I asked what the oil cooler was and where located...anyway dont really need you to reply...you havent had any helpful advice just more of what i should have done in the first place...I understand if i should have winterized my boat better...but I was trying to do it myself and made a mistake....you know those things you do in life when you actually live it and not sit at a computer all day...anyone ele with helpful advice?..thanks in advance.

 

[ziggy]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

i dunno, this is some pretty good advise here..

Up in the Adults Only sticky on this forum has many links to explain Winterization, Summerization,+ a host of Other, Need to Know stuff...

check out all the threads there. it really is need to know stuff. like you'll find access to your service manual there. it will lead you to where you find your oil cooler in it.
this would be a great place for you to start at. especially the service manual. it will have detailed info on exactly what you need to do to winterize your boat.... and every other procedure that you need to do to service your boat too... very informational...

 

[Bondo]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

well instead of sitting back and acting like a "told you so" butthole Mr. Bond-o you should actually try to help answer the questions...like the fellow Don that is on here..I wish he would answer my questions...I asked what the oil cooler was and where located...anyway dont really need you to reply...you havent had any helpful advice just more of what i should have done in the first place...I understand if i should have winterized my boat better...but I was trying to do it myself and made a mistake....

Ayuh,... I make mistakes Every day,...

The 1 I made on Feb. 6th was pointing You to the Answers to All of Your Questions....

I didn't know I was supposed to hold Your hand,+ repair Your boat for You....

I won't bother you Any more......

 

[bigbroncoxlt]

Re: cracked lower unit alpha 1

PoPo, I live in Smyrna TN and was curious who quoted you 375 for the lower case job?