Gear case oil seal

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chizwizdiz

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
39
Alpha 1, gen 1.

While performing an impeller change, I noticed an oil leak down by the prop hub. I ordered this seal: http://www.iboats.com/Bearing-Carri...3378662--session_id.308162934--view_id.171772

and this seal: http://www.iboats.com/Oil-Seal-Sierra/dm/*******.733378662--session_id.308162934--view_id.171682

I went to install them and the 18-2076 was larger (thicker) than the one that came out. I installed both of the new seals anyway (thinking that maybe the seal design had been updated?) and the unit still leaks. I didn't notice any excessive play with the shaft, it also didn't appear damaged.

Any tips? Did I order the wrong seal to begin with? The gear case face is starting to corrode a little, could it not be holding the seals in very tight?

Thanks!


Also, I found a trouble shooting tree (posted by Bond-o, I think?) that pointed my in the right direction for my "no spark" condition I was experiencing. Thanks!
 
D

dubs283

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
5,332
Re: Gear case oil seal

did you clean up the seal areas on the shaft??

sometimes the seals wear deep grooves in the propshaft and pressing the seals in a bit further into the carrier fixes this

also 2-4-C grease on the seal lips
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Gear case oil seal

Did you replace both propshaft seals or just the outer one? Oil leaking out is from the inside seal, not the outside one. The outside seal just stops water getting in.

Chris....
 
ktbarrentine

ktbarrentine

Lieutenant
Joined
Dec 12, 2011
Messages
1,296
Re: Gear case oil seal

Hmmm..I'd have thought you would have wanted a 26-14077 seal vs the 26-12224... At least that is what my 1990 Alpha one takes.
And how about the o-ring, 25-31534?
 
C

chizwizdiz

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
39
Re: Gear case oil seal

dubs283 said:
did you clean up the seal areas on the shaft??

sometimes the seals wear deep grooves in the propshaft and pressing the seals in a bit further into the carrier fixes this

also 2-4-C grease on the seal lips
Click to expand...

I did clean up the shaft, and if I remember right, it didn't look scarred. I'm going to order those seals again, I really don't want to buy a lower!

achris said:
Did you replace both propshaft seals or just the outer one? Oil leaking out is from the inside seal, not the outside one. The outside seal just stops water getting in.

Chris....
Click to expand...

I did replace both, but the inner seal looked physically thicker than the one I took out. I'm really thinking that some of the erosion on the face of the drive is affecting the seal. I should be able to get pics tomorrow evening.
 
F

fendersfender

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
317
Re: Gear case oil seal

chizwizdiz said:
Alpha 1, gen 1.

While performing an impeller change, I noticed an oil leak down by the prop hub. I ordered this seal: http://www.iboats.com/Bearing-Carri...3378662--session_id.308162934--view_id.171772

and this seal: http://www.iboats.com/Oil-Seal-Sierra/dm/*******.733378662--session_id.308162934--view_id.171682

I went to install them and the 18-2076 was larger (thicker) than the one that came out. I installed both of the new seals anyway (thinking that maybe the seal design had been updated?) and the unit still leaks. I didn't notice any excessive play with the shaft, it also didn't appear damaged.

Any tips? Did I order the wrong seal to begin with? The gear case face is starting to corrode a little, could it not be holding the seals in very tight?

Thanks!


Also, I found a trouble shooting tree (posted by Bond-o, I think?) that pointed my in the right direction for my "no spark" condition I was experiencing. Thanks!
Click to expand...
If your bearing carrier is corroded enough to worry about it holding a seal, maybe its time to replace the whole carrier assembly.
 
wellcraft-classic210

wellcraft-classic210

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Messages
839
Re: Gear case oil seal

The Sierra seal kit for alppha one's kits come with 3 seals for the prop shaft. ( 2 are the same & 1 is a fish line cutter)
This in turn offer the choice of 2 different setups.

From what I could determine per a recent repair episode & some trial and error at pressure test;

--If you use the 2 identical seals they go back to back with the outer seal holding the pressure in ( rubber lip out ) and the inner seal holding water out ( rubber lip in ). ( I suppose these could be reveresed and still work -but the maunal I used shows the setup listed above)
--If you use the fish line cutter seal as an outer seal the inner seal must be reversed to hold pressure in as the fish line cutter is will not hold any pressure within the drive. (My manuals did not show this setup but perhaps some do)

The prop shaft must be smooth and the seals need to have a sealer on thier outer portions where they press into the bearing carrier to seal their as well.

Perhaps the experts can offers some added detail or other advice as well.
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Gear case oil seal

wellcraft-classic210 said:
The Sierra seal kit for alppha one's kits come with 3 seals for the prop shaft. ( 2 are the same & 1 is a fish line cutter)
This in turn offer the choice of 2 different setups.

From what I could determine per a recent repair episode & some trial and error at pressure test;

--If you use the 2 identical seals they go back to back with the outer seal holding the pressure in ( rubber lip out ) and the inner seal holding water out ( rubber lip in ). ( I suppose these could be reveresed and still work -but the maunal I used shows the setup listed above)
--If you use the fish line cutter seal as an outer seal the inner seal must be reversed to hold pressure in as the fish line cutter is will not hold any pressure within the drive. (My manuals did not show this setup but perhaps some do)

The prop shaft must be smooth and the seals need to have a sealer on thier outer portions where they press into the bearing carrier to seal their as well.

Perhaps the experts can offers some added detail or other advice as well.
Click to expand...

Close, but no piece of pie...

A seal will only stop movement in one direction, towards the lip. So the inner seal faces in and stops oil getting out, and the outer seal has its lip facing the ocean so stops water getting in. The fishing line cutter seal is exactly the same as the other seals but with a sharp edge over the seal lip (if you take that seal apart you'll find the same seal inside.... go figure). Install the inner the same as you would otherwise (lip facing in) and the fishing line cutter seal with the sharp edge facing out.

And remember to pack the space in between with grease, or the seals will burn!
 
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chizwizdiz

Seaman Apprentice
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Messages
39
Re: Gear case oil seal

I appreciate the help everyone, the serial numbers are A502870, and A502868. Ratio: 1.50R
 
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chizwizdiz

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
39
Re: Gear case oil seal

chizwizdiz said:
I appreciate the help everyone, the serial numbers are A502870, and A502868. Ratio: 1.50R
Click to expand...

I stopped by the marina and snapped a picture, but my phone ate it or something because I can't find it, but I did look again, and maybe I can just replace the carrier assembly along with the two seals, tab, and washer? The erosion is happening right along the edge of the carrier, where the face of the seal touches...not the actual drive housing itself.
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Gear case oil seal

chizwizdiz said:
I appreciate the help everyone, the serial numbers are A502870, and A502868. Ratio: 1.50R
Click to expand...

0A502870 -> model 01509016, year 1986
0A502868 -> model 01509016, year 1986

They are the first year of the Alpha One...

There are 2 different carriers, you'll need to look at the casting number on the existing one.
If it's 73020C, then you need carrier -73020A14
if it's 73020C1 then you need carrier -818763A10
 
C

chizwizdiz

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
39
Re: Gear case oil seal

achris said:
0A502870 -> model 01509016, year 1986
0A502868 -> model 01509016, year 1986

They are the first year of the Alpha One...

There are 2 different carriers, you'll need to look at the casting number on the existing one.
If it's 73020C, then you need carrier -73020A14
if it's 73020C1 then you need carrier -818763A10
Click to expand...


Thank you very much for all your help!
 
C

chizwizdiz

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
39
Re: Gear case oil seal

Just an update to this thread. I ended up taking the lower unit back off and sending it to my marina to get the carrier bearing replaced. As if it isn't enough of a PITA to repair the boat on blocks, in the marina parking lot, I really didn't want to have to buy the special tools to perform the job.

The port engine and drive are all set and ready for the water. This season, I replaced the impeller (my first time), intake manifolds (Edelbrock 2101), carbs (Edelbrock 1409), and thermostats. I reset the timing on the port engine, but I think I need to check it again. I'd adjust the distributer to 8 degrees BTDC, and as I was reaching to lock down the retaining bolt, the idle would increase and the timing would jump. I still need to double check the idle numbers, as I think this may be adding to the problem. I was initially concerned with the impeller job, being that it was my first time. It did take a few tense moments for the water to come out of the through hull exhaust, but it was nice to see it when it finally got there. Having to run three hoses across the marina parking lot surely didn't help the water pressure to the muff's.
 
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