Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

[kbetts]

A buddy of mine let his oil run low in his outdrive this past summer and resulted in a gear failer in the upper housing. He bought a good used upper drive and installed his old lower on the new (used) upper. Since he had all kinds of shavings in his upper gear case when it failed, will he have the shavings in the lower also? He said that he looked at the lower when he installed it, but didn't see any shavings in there.The reason I ask, he has it assembled and installed on the boat and ready to put the new lube in. He is asking if he can take the top off the upper and wash out the unit with deisel fuel and let it drain out the plug in the bottom. I told him he should have done this when he had it apart. Since I am thinking that some of the deisel will still be in the outdrive if he does this, can this be done, or does he just need to take it back a part? Not being 100% sure myself, I am seeking advice from the experts. Thanks

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

It cannot be flushed like that, and it probably does have metal in the lower. Pull the drain plug and look at the magnet on the end of the plug. That should tell the story.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

It cannot be flushed like that, and it probably does have metal in the lower.

RP - I'd hate to see this guy have to tear down the whole lower gear case:%
Do you think it's possible to pull off the lower (hopefully it hasn't been fiiled with lube), pump some gear lube thru, spin everything by hand a few times, drain & check the plug until no metal shows up? Might take a while, but also might save the rebuild work.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

I have NEVER seen an upper fail that didn't also damage the lower bearings and gear surfaces due to metal transfer in the gear lube, and I have seen a bunch of them.

 

[kbetts]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

I will tell him to pull the lower back off and try to get it rebuilt or cleaned out as best he can. I know what you are saying Don S., but I know he will try to run it this way. He is hard headed to say the least. I tried to get him to purchase a complete used outdrive once the upper came apart on him, but he was hell bent on trying to use the lower half of his old one. I will pass this information on to him and hopefully he will do the right thing. I have a feeling he will be buying a complete outdrive in the near future. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

Just a crap shoot,but I've seen people get away with it.I can't operate that way as a dealer,but ? ?

When rebuilding a drive like your friends,I even find shrapnell under pressed in bearing cups.So yes,the damage is thru the whole drive.

DHP

 

[180shabah]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

Kbetts,

Also show him that he can get a brand new drive from SEI for about the same cost(and sometimes less than) as a rebuilt drive. Thier direct prices are:
Lower - $695
Upper - &595
Complete - $1195

http://www.sterndrive.cc/se106-sterndrive/se106.htm

 

[kbetts]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

Thanks for the info guys. I believe he is going to try running it as is without much thought of the advice given to him. He is trying to save money by spending more money, I never quite figured out that way of thinking.
Don's quote -" Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time, But always enough time to do it again?"
I believe he is going to fill up the outdrive and run it on the muffs and then drain it a couple of times to get some of the metal out. I will be sure to give him the info from SEI, 180shabah, I believe he will need it come spring. I will let you know what happens.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc Alpha Gen 1 outdrive

Ayuh,............

It'll Run,............. But Not for Long.................

Probabaly Blow Up during his Long Awaited Vacation Week,...........d