Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

[ildoc]

My 1996 5.7L Mercruiser Alpha One seems to slowly lose gear lube. This seems to have started since I changed the lube at the beginning of the season and I've put barely 7 to 8 hours on it since then. The fluid in the reservoir is normal color. It seemed to not take the full specified amount when I was pumping lube back in....could there be something simple like an air bubble? What should I check?<br /><br />I posted a thread here last week about this same unit "slipping". Replaced the prop and hub this weekend and that problem appears to be gone. Could these situations be related?

 

[Trent]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

How did you change the lube??

 

[ildoc]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

Originally posted by Trent:<br /> How did you change the lube??

Took the vent plug and drain plugs out and let lube drain until it stopped. Screwed pump into lower drain hole and pumped lube in until a trickle came out of the vent hole, then replaced the drain plug and vent plugs. I think this is pretty much the procedure outlined in the manual. Thoughts?

 

[Wellcraft 89]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

By any chance did you lose the fibre washers on the drain or vent plugs?<br /><br />If gear lube is getting out water is getting in.<br /><br />Rich

 

[ildoc]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

Originally posted by Wellcraft 89:<br /> By any chance did you lose the fibre washers on the drain or vent plugs?<br /><br />If gear lube is getting out water is getting in.<br /><br />Rich

Possibly. I don't remember seeing them. Where could I get replacements? Is there a way to put new washers on without draining all the lube out? Or should I replace the lube? If the washers are the problem, is changing the gear lube enough? Sorry about all the questions.

 

[hoot]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

my lower screw was leaking a little, no washer installed. got an o-ring and stopped the leak. washers can be found at merc dealer. my top and bottom screw were the same. if yours is also, remove the top screw and install washer. then remove the bottom screw and put top screw in hole as quickly as possible. then put bottom screw with washer in top position. this will let the least amount of fluid escape.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

I would change the gear lube immediately . all of it! Two quarts will cost you $20 tops & 2 fifty cent washers. A rebuilt drive will cost a lot more, these drives are pretty rugged but they do not like water inside them! When refilling, put vent upper screw/with washer in first. Then replace lower screw/ with washer, quickly. The teeny amount that you lose isinsignificant

 

[ildoc]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

Originally posted by J.kopec:<br /> I would change the gear lube immediately . all of it! Two quarts will cost you $20 tops & 2 fifty cent washers. A rebuilt drive will cost a lot more, these drives are pretty rugged but they do not like water inside them! When refilling, put vent upper screw/with washer in first. Then replace lower screw/ with washer, quickly. The teeny amount that you lose isinsignificant

Any suggestions how I can do this with the boat on a lift without getting lube in the water?

 

[blackz3]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One losing gear lube

5 gal bucket with a handle on it