Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

[BobLWeiss]

I noticed an oil leak comming from the Alpha 1 lower unit on the starboard side of the outdrive. Its leaking at the seam between the lower and upper units and about 3/4's of the way back towards the transom. I don't think there is a gasket between the 2 units so what could be the cause? Its a slowwww leak but constant and the motor has not been started yet this spring. I don't want to put it in the water until this is fixed..does anyone have any ideas what could be the cause?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bob W.

 

[bluemist]

Re: Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

Hi, <br />There is a small orange quad seal that fits in the groove between the upper and lower in the oil passage this is leaking. Change it by splitting the drive. If its been a while since an impeller change now is the time!<br />AL

 

[KRS]

Re: Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

DRain the oil, pull the two halves apart, and you'll see the seal.

 

[tommays]

Re: Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

What year is it a GEN i or GEN II ?<br /><br />ITs could be the quad seal leaking BUT<br /><br />Much more of a chance that it the seal under the water pump or the upper is dripping or the shift shaft<br /><br /><br />The best thing is to pull the drive and pressure check it to find the leak and go from there<br /><br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/loweroilleak.htm <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[BobLWeiss]

Re: Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

Thanks for all the help.. I am going to order the parts and put new seals and water pump in while I have it open. <br /><br />I have one other question, how do you tell which generation type you have? I know its an Alpha One unit but I keep seeing Generation I & II along side the model name. There is no decals on my unit either so is there some other way to tell?<br /><br />Thanks for ALL your help!<br />Bob Weiss

 

[Don S]

Re: Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

What year is it?

 

[BobLWeiss]

Re: Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

Originally posted by Don S:<br /> What year is it?

The boat is a 1982 but the outdrive was purchased rebuilt in 1998. I am assuming the previous owner just bought a rebuilt unit and not a newer model.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bob Weiss

 

[Don S]

Re: Lower Alpha 1 unit is leaking gear oil...help?

Since you can't put a Gen II drive on a Gen I transom shield, that means you have a Gen I. The wierd thing is, there isn't a Merc Alpha drive known as a Gen I. You have either an Alpha I, an MR, or an R that was there originally, but it's definatly not a Gen II drive.<br />Now you need to find the serial number or other info on the drive you now have.<br />I could look at it and tell what it is, but that is by actually looking, not reading a thread about it.