drain and vent plug o-rings

[summit1]

For the Alpha 1, are the drain and vent plug o-rings supposed to be rubber or a hard felt-like material? <br /><br />I went to the parts house the other day to get new o-rings and the guy gave me these blue felt-like o-rings. The ones that came off are rubber and fit on the inside of a groove of the screws. These new blue ones don't fit inside that groove like the rubber, but these guys swear that this is what they are using on the Alphas. Are these the right ones? Also, the drain screw doesn't quite make it down flush with the drive anymore cause the ring isn't inside the groove - it is sticking out just a hair. Because of the new rings, it just isn't seating down as far as it did. Is this what you guys are using?

 

[Don S]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

There are actually both types, some oring some paper (The blue ones)<br />If the plugs have grooves for orings, get the orings, if they are flat you use the paper ones.<br />Paper ones PN 12-19183<br />Orings PN 25-805726<br />Usually the orings were only on some Alpha I Gen II drives and some Bravo drives.<br />If you stated only Alpha, they only had the paper gaskets......unless someone changed them to the oring style.

 

[Don S]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

DHP<br />They were on the first couple of years of the Gen II drives, then they went back to the standard paper/fiber gaskets. Can't remember which Bravo drives they were on exactly.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

Don,I didn't realize Mercruiser used o-rings,but I don't see too many Bravos.When I see a drain plug 'sticking' out too far,it's usually an OMC/BRP drain plug stuck in there.And they used many o-ring plugs.The heads are thicker.<br />Best bet may be to go get genuine new plugs w/gaskets,like most Alpha I's used.<br /><br />DHP

 

[tommays]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

my 1995 alpha uses and o-ring on the vent plug and a paper gasket on the drain plug<br /><br />they must have changed it a lot because my dealer say the o-ring should not be on the vent<br /><br />tommays

 

[muc]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

The Instructor at Mercruiser school told us to toss the o-ring plugs and replace with paper gasket plugs. Seems they were a cause of leaks.

 

[summit1]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

This is a 1993 alpha 1. I am not sure about gen I or II. It does not have a reservoir (if that helps indicate what I have?). All three screws (drain, vent, and dipstick) have the grooves with rubber o-rings. The drain plug sticks out just a hair with the paper gasket..with the oring it would seat flush. I'll just get new plugs...sounds easier than trying to convince the dealer I need orings. Thanks for all the responses

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

Make sure the old gaskets are ALL removed.Use a small screwdriver as a scraper and make sure it is cleaned out before putting the screw and new gasket back.Old gaskets can stay in there and after they are compressed look like they are part of the drive.Get a very large headed screwdriver and tighted the screw down so it is flush.Charlie

 

[Don S]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

You are still going to need the oring for the dipstick. Just give your dealer the part number for the oring and tell him you want one. You could also remove the dipstick and just use a plug there also. As long as you fill the drive to the level of the vent plug, the dipstick isn't necessary.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

Dipstick? <br />What dipstick?<br />I don't know of a dipstick on an alpha - mine certainly doesn't have one.<br /><br />Are you talking about the dipstick on the engine? If so, what are you referring to Don when you say,

You could also remove the dipstick and just use a plug there also. As long as you fill the drive to the level of the vent plug, the dipstick isn't necessary.

Are you saying that some alpha drives have dipsticks?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

No dipstick on an alpha one.Charlie

 

[tommays]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

while its not common you can have a dip stick on and alpha 1<br /><br />tommays

 

[summit1]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

Mine has a dipstick. It is on the top plate of the outdrive and screws in with a flathead screwdriver. Thanks for all the reponses.

 

[summit1]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

Got it. There is a groove for an o-ring in the screw. I went ahead and bought new drain/vent plugs that use the fiber washer...it was easier than convincing the parts guy that I needed orings. $8 for new screws. Can I just take the o-ring off and go to the local hardware store and buy one that matches up in size (for the dipstick)?

 

[Don S]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

Also, make sure your dipstick has a groove for the oring, if there isn't a groove, use the fiber washer.<br /><br />The dipstick was only on the first few years of the Alpha I Gen II. No other Alpha drives had it.<br />#6 is the dipstick.<br /><br />

 

[Sundancer33]

Re: drain and vent plug o-rings

Dipstick? <br />What dipstick?<br />I don't know of a dipstick on an alpha - mine certainly doesn't have one.<br /><br />Are you talking about the dipstick on the engine? If so, what are you referring to Don when you say, Are you saying that some alpha drives have dipsticks?

Mine are 1992 Gen 2, one has a dipstick and one doesn't