Mercruiser drive oil

ILOVEBEER

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
92
Hey guys, I have an Alpha 1 drive and the other day my low drive oil alarm sounded. I had previously noticed that the oil was at the add line but after about 20 hrs it sounded the alarm. When I went to add the new oil, I noticed that the oil in the resevoir is, not milky but a little cloudy. I called the service dept where I bought the boat and he said this could be just the color difference between the oil they used and the oil I use. When I dip a piece of wood into the resevoir I can't see any water or bubbles but it still has me worried cause I'm taking the boat to the lake for 4 days this weekend. The service dept that I talked to said that if water was getting into the drive, then the level in the resevoir wouldn't drop and that it was probably just a small leak. <br /><br />What do you think?<br /><br />Thanks -Beer
 

Doug Durako

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
519
Re: Mercruiser drive oil

A pressure test is the only way to tell for sure. Sounds like you have a leak. Changing the gear oil might tell you more. I would not run it long it if it was my rig.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Mercruiser drive oil

It may not be water in the drive, could very well be the oil is leaking into the ujoint bellows due to a defective seal or yoke.<br />You need to pull the drive and check for the gear lube in the bellows.
 

ILOVEBEER

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 1, 2006
Messages
92
Re: Mercruiser drive oil

Thanks Don and dd. I am pretty mechanically inclined but very boat dumb. I don't even know what a bellows is. Guess it's time to buy a manual. Any sugestions? Is there a good outdrive diagram online somewhere? I have a 1998 4.3L EFI/ Alpha 1. <br /><br />Grazie Mille.
 

I/O WALDO

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 16, 2005
Messages
320
Re: Mercruiser drive oil

For the weekend, just remove the lower drain plug and ck. 4 water(milky?),if none,re-install the plug(and gasket).Top the resevoir,use it and keep an eye on level.Alarm SHOULD warn U of level drop.When U git back,fixer right!!
 
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