Mercruiser alpha one small amount of water in shift cable housing

[landover50]

I'm doing my winterizing for the year and removed my lower unit on the out drive. When I got into it there is a small amount of water around the shift cable in the shift cable housing in the lower unit. There isn't any water in the bellows. Where could this water be coming from? The the thin piece of gasket next to the housing was a little little damage but didn't appear to be destroyed. Could it be that a little water was coming in from there? I'd like to get it figured out before I put it up for the winter . Thanks in advance

 

[Rick Stephens]

It's either the gasket, the shift shaft seals or the water passage o-ring. Check em all. Replace em all.

 

[nola mike]

What are you working on? A1G1 drive, if it's never been done needs the shift shaft bushing and seal replaced.

 

[landover50]

It's either the gasket, the shift shaft seals or the water passage o-ring. Check em all. Replace em all.

It's either the gasket, the shift shaft seals or the water passage o-ring. Check em all. Replace em all.

By gasket I assume you mean the main gasket between bell housing and lower unit? I replaced that gasket and the water passage o-ring earlier this year. Not saying it couldn't be that but I did do them this spring.

That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if the shift shaft seal has never been done. Bought the boat earlier this year and I'm replacing/fixing things that need to be done. Any tips on doing the shift shaft seals is appreciated.

 

[landover50]

What are you working on? A1G1 drive, if it's never been done needs the shift shaft bushing and seal replaced.

Yes, A1G1. As I said above, don't know if the shift shaft seals have ever been done, just bought the boat this spring. My guess is if they have been done it's been a while. Any tips on replacing the bushing and seal? Never done it before.

 

[Scott06]

Shift shaft seals , exhaust is full of water will get forced up. But as said while your in there replace them all

 

[Rick Stephens]

The new replacement kits from Merc or Sierra are bigger and come with the bushing. The seals are larger and hang down in the exhaust passageway. They last longer that way. That is the only way to go as they last for years. Drive the whole bushing, up or down, to get it out. Then I use a long 3/8" bolt up from the bottom, once inserted, you add a nut and washer on top to it as the new bushing with seal driver.

Old one on right, new one on left

 

[landover50]

The new replacement kits from Merc or Sierra are bigger and come with the bushing. The seals are larger and hang down in the exhaust passageway. They last longer that way. That is the only way to go as they last for years. Drive the whole bushing, up or down, to get it out. Then I use a long 3/8" bolt up from the bottom, once inserted, you add a nut and washer on top to it as the new bushing with seal driver.

Old one on right, new one on left

Thanks for the help. Only I didn't understand this line "you add a nut and washer on top to it as the new bushing with seal driver." I think I get what you're saying but not quite clear.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks for the help. Only I didn't understand this line "you add a nut and washer on top to it as the new bushing with seal driver." I think I get what you're saying but not quite clear.

Use a bolt as a homemade puller to pull the seal into the housing. Put the bolt through the seal and housing, slide a washer and nut on threaded end tighten the nut to pull the seal into place in the housing. It will be a light press fit. you can’t use a seal driver or socket to push it in as there is no access .

 

[landover50]

Use a bolt as a homemade puller to pull the seal into the housing. Put the bolt through the seal and housing, slide a washer and nut on threaded end tighten the nut to pull the seal into place in the housing. It will be a light press fit. you can’t use a seal driver or socket to push it in as there is no access .

Thanks for clarifying. Shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Merc makes a tool specifically to drive the bushing in. You can do the same thing with a longish 3/8th inch bolt, with a nut and washer. Insert bolt through bottom bushing, add nut, top that with a washer to protect bushing. Set bushing on threads and drive up into housing.