Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

[anesthes]

I replaced the seals in my upper because it was externally leaking oil into the driveshaft bellows, and then leaked down the shift shaft.<br /><br />I replaced all the seals (and bellows too). But .. it still is leaking. wtf?<br /><br />Anyone have any suggestions?<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[anesthes]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Oh yeah. Mercrcuiser - alpha one. 88ish

 

[vinney]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Float test your drive. It works everytime.

 

[anesthes]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

What?

 

[sculbert]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

good question, float your drive? How does that stop oil leaking? <br /><br />Anesthes, I need to understand, Are you saying that oil is leaking in to the bellows and then draining inside to the down shaft to the lower unit? <br /><br />sounds like your seal behind the coupler into the top unit is leaking if that is what is happening.

 

[anesthes]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Yeah. weird huh.<br /><br />Can you point out in maybe a diagram of where you think its leaking? I replaced the oil seal and oring on the driveshaft in the upper case. It appears to still be coming out where the driveshaft is.. <br /><br />I think the leak is 1-way though.<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[sculbert]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

One sec I will scan my manual and then post it to a web site of mine.

 

[anesthes]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Thanks.. This thing is driving me nuts.<br /><br />The big seal that gets put inside the gimbal, should keep oil in the bellows, or water out. so I dont even understand, if its getting to the point of the bellows, how it can get down the shift shaft.<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[achris]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Joe,<br /><br />What condition was the seal running surface in? If it had a groove then it'll cut up the new seal really quickly. I've just replaced the same seal on mine and I recessed it 20 thou so it runs on a 'new' surface.<br /><br />Chris...........

 

[anesthes]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Jeez. I didnt think of that. I just slid it all back together.<br /><br />I'm still curious on the whole. point of leaking though. Shouldn't the large rubber seal that goes inside the gimbal, that the driveshaft and retainer slide into keep oil IN the bellows?<br /><br />I'd imagine if oil can get out of that area, water could surely get IN..<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[sculbert]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

okay follow this and you will see what I am talking about. folow in series and I will explain.<br /><br /> This is the assebly or area I am talking about. http://www.culbertson.homeftp.net/destructo/Asembly.jpg <br /><br /> This is the coupling that you need to be working with.<br /> http://www.culbertson.homeftp.net/destructo/shaft.jpg <br /><br /> this is the group. You need to replace the Seal listed ,o ring and maybe ring. <br /><br /> http://www.culbertson.homeftp.net/destructo/Bearing.jpg <br /><br />Hope this helps. <br /><br />sound like the seal behind the gimbal bearing is what you replaced. That is mostly just a dust seal. You will need to also check your upper housing oil level to make sure it isn't getting rally low. That would be very bad.

 

[anesthes]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Hi,<br /><br />Thanks for the pics. Yeah I replaced the oil seal and o-ring in that assembly. Took the retainer off, pulled it out, pulled the nut, slid the bearings off. replaced seal and o-ring, slid it back together, tightened to 85 foot lbs, and slide it back into the upper housing. <br /><br />I'll drain the oil tomorrow. I'd take it apart again, but the merc dealers are all closed til tuesday so I can't get any more seals. <br /><br />Maybe when sliding it together, I tore the new seal.. I know the old one had a big tear in it. Maybe theres a burr on the shaft like achris mentioned.<br /><br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[vinney]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

You need to buy a pressure tester if you are going to be working on a sterndrive/s OR you will blow up an upper. You need to make sure after your done that the seals are working. Many seals can be installed and still leak under pressure. If the drive leaks the oil into the bellow it will take the upper gear set out and bearings. You need a pressure tester. The new one can do pressure and vacuum. If you have a question Why don't you do a search first. I bet this question has been answer 100 times. If you are new here try the search first. I would say do alot of searching befor you start posting like you are an expert in the boat business.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Relax Vinney. I don't see anyone trying to be an expert as you have mentionned. Your info is always very helpfull and most precise. However, your other comments on posters sometimes leave much to be desired.

 

[vinney]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

I guess your in charged Now. No. I love the new guys Like Our boy anthens He comes out of the box as an expert Look over his first posts then as time goes on. There asking information They learn that they don't know the boat business as much as they think so. My point was Cobra do as search first. I have seen this so many times here. As for you desire Who put you incharge?

 

[sculbert]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

Good luck, I wanted to make sure we were all talking about the same thing. your in the right area I believe. aChris is probably got it right. I don't know what the pressure tester would cost that vinney is speaking about. Make sure you lube the seal before you put it back on. That help alot of times to make sure it doesn't get dammaged going back on also.

 

[sculbert]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

vinney you sound fairly knowledgable. Check out my post for swapping out the 2bl card for the 4 bl. I am looking at the Rochestor 4MV. Post up there and let me know what you think please. <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=007239

 

[vinney]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

If the lower unit has been apart many times Like an older Mercruiser. The seals will leak where the seal in being pressed into. Everytime the seal is removed and pressed back in there is material removed (so there is a chance the new seal outer edge doesn't seal). The outer edge of the seal and what your putting it into is leaking. Thats why you need to pressure test when ever you change a seal.Or you will loose a drive. I always use Locktight 271 when installing seals and try to let the locktight dry and then pressure test.

 

[achris]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

I'm with vinney on the pressure testing (sorry vinney, I know you prefer to fly solo). As for a pressure/vac tester, I use an old fuel pump gauge, put some fittings on it and voila - a pressure/vac tester for Mercrusiser and Merc gearboxes. Oh, and they work on Johnrudes too. <br /><br />Chris.........

 

[vinney]

Re: Leaking outdrive seals, replaced.

I love those older Bertrams. The 20 footer and the 28 footer are the most restored and repowered older boats here. Great Picture under your name. Always like help and good information Thanks. I don't want anyone thrown under the bus with bad info thats all. I know when I need answers I hate to waste my time. A pressure tester is cheap compared to a gear set and bearings in an upper.