drive unit service

[a1999ponyboy]

i need to get the stern drive serviced. ita a 1989 alpha 1. i was wondering if someone could give me a ball park price that im going to have to pay

 

[Fishermark]

Re: drive unit service

What do you need done with this service?

 

[a1999ponyboy]

Re: drive unit service

not sure i just bought the boat. i went to winterize it and it had rattle in it. when i pu it in drive the noise slowed as if if something finaly meshed? also the prior owner had removed the drain plug at the bottom and drained the oil. not sure how long it was out it sat a few years

 

[Fishermark]

Re: drive unit service

No way of telling what it will cost till it is determined whether or not there is a problem. Worst case scenario? Brand new aftermarket drive from Sterndrive Engineering for $1,300.

Have you done anything to it at all yet? Forgive me for asking, but you did put new oil in it when you tried it right? If you want to try to do something yourself, then I would suggest draining the oil and pressure testing the unit and post your findings. (See the sticky at the top of the page for info on pressure testing).

 

[a1999ponyboy]

Re: drive unit service

no it had no oil in it when i started it. i did not discover the plug was out till after. i only rat it for about 5 min though. im brandnew to boats you will have to excuse me. also there was water comeing out where i think the drain plug goes. on the very bottom infront of the sceg on the rounded part.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: drive unit service

Well, that's not good. But try filling it with the proper oil and see what happens. You need to remove both plugs - top and bottom. Then fill it from the bottom with a pump (which you can buy at Walmart, or wherever). Pump it in till it comes out the top - then replace the top screw with a new gasket, and then remove the pump and put the bottom screw in with a new gasket.

I would recommend doing this after doing a pressure test.

 

[a1999ponyboy]

Re: drive unit service

if the bottom plug is out wouldnt all the oil i pump in just leak out?

 

[Silverbullet555]

You pump oil in from the bottom up. The top plug lets the air escape as you are pumping oil in. When you pull the pump and replace the plug you do it quickly and you'll only lose a tablespoon. I hope nothing got damaged when you ran it without oil.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: drive unit service

The bottom hole will have a bottle of gear oil with a little hand pumped hooked up to it. You remove the top plug, and fill from the bottom. If you fill it from the top, you will end up with an air block. And it wont fill properly. You fill from the bottom till it starts running out of the top plug hole. Then you put the top plug in. Then u remove the pump connection from the bottom. Have the bottom plug at the ready and quickly replace it. ave a rag ready, and you shouldn't loose more then a teaspoon or so. You will figure it out. Then ya run the boat for a few minutes, on muffs in the driveway if ya want, and recheck the level at the top plug. If it doesnt run the top hole, the oil should be right up to the hole at least I have a bad feeling you may have bigger problems if there hasnt been any oil in for years....rust..ground up gears. good luck

 

[a1999ponyboy]

Re: drive unit service

ok thanks for the info! quick question? water shouldnt come out of the lower plug correct? if so what could be the problem ?

 

[Volphin]

Re: drive unit service

Bellows or shift boot need replacing.

V