Missing parts?????

[Vroom_vroom]

So I recently (and for the first time) pulled my lower unit, a gen 1 alpha 1 to replace my impeller as I have never done it and I bought the boat this spring and has ran flawlessly since. But when I pulled it apart there was no gasket/ rubber ring around the top of the pump housing/ shaft. Should I take it back apart and add put the new one there? It never ran hot and I’m not really sure what purpose it serves but don’t want to blow anything up but it seems like that’s where it belongs in some of the pics I have found.

 

[achris]

 

[Bt Doctur]

Chris, look closer. The slinger is not there, thats the top ridge of the pump housing

 

[Rick Stephens]

vroom, operating on the presumption that you only pulled the lower, like you stated, I would kindly suggest that you do all the annual maintenance and not half way it by just pulling the lower off. There's a bunch of good reasons to pull the entire drive off and split the cases separate from the boat. The most important parts of the annual inspection and maintenance is checking and greasing u-joints, gimbal bearing and condition of bellows. Also, reassembling a lower by lifting it up to attach to the upper is not the easiest way to do that. It is really easy to damage a seal trying to line everything up, all the while struggling to raise the lower up. So much simpler done on the bench Make a slotted holder for your drive to slide in and make it all easy on yourself.

 

[Vroom_vroom]

Actually i have the entire drive out, I am finishing up replacing the bellows/gimble currently. Not fun but I had anticipated it being worse. The slinger is the part I had in question, it’s not there in this picture and that’s how I pulled it apart. Perhaps I’ll separate it again for the ring. What’s its function?

 

[achris]

Chris, look closer. The slinger is not there, thats the top ridge of the pump housing

Quite correct. Once I zoomed in I saw it not there....

Consequence of the slinger missing? Probably not a great deal... It doesn't form a water tight seal, and that area should have quite a bit of water sloshing around anyway...

Chris.........

 

[Vroom_vroom]

Got it all buttoned back up this afternoon. Just have to adjust my shift cable but I now have reverse!, might run it a the couple times left this season and pull it down again for winter maintenance and make sure I don’t have any water intrusion after all my work.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Actually i have the entire drive out, I am finishing up replacing the bellows/gimble currently. Not fun but I had anticipated it being worse. The slinger is the part I had in question, it’s not there in this picture and that’s how I pulled it apart. Perhaps I’ll separate it again for the ring. What’s its function?

Awesomeness!

Count yourself one of the one percenters. Keep up with the maintenance and go boating... don't, and eventually ya don't get to go boating. Thanks for the reply.

Rick

 

[achris]

.... The slinger is the part I had in question, it’s not there in this picture and that’s how I pulled it apart.

Not uncommon for them to break and get slung off the shaft if they're a bit old (ie, not serviced regularly )

.... What’s its function?

Never thought about it. I think the idea is that it does some sealing around the top of the pump housing, but I've never seen one gone that has caused problems.

Chris........

 

[Vroom_vroom]

Not uncommon for them to break and get slung off the shaft if they're a bit old (ie, not serviced regularly )



Never thought about it. I think the idea is that it does some sealing around the top of the pump housing, but I've never seen one gone that has caused problems.

Chris........

Well that makes me feel more confident in going without for a trip or three. I had figured it can’t be anything critical if it hadn’t been there when I removed it.

 

[Rick Stephens]

My bet is long term that piece of rubber prevents exhaust gases from entering and causing cavitation in the pump as the impeller wears and gets a looser fit.

 

[Bt Doctur]

I agree with Rick, an exaust gas thing. When on plane that area only has exaust gas and the water leaving the cooling system. the pump is not underwater

 

[Vroom_vroom]

That sounds pretty reasonable, there’s no tension aside from the shaft to seal any thing aside from blocking a direct stream on anything.

Got it it all back together and buttoned up, low and behold I have reverse finally! No more people asking me if I need help/ in distress when I’m launching/ un beaching......... Wednesday morning I will be able to head to the lake and confirm everything is Gouda! I appreciate all the insight on this forum.

 

[achris]

My bet is long term that piece of rubber prevents exhaust gases from entering and causing cavitation in the pump as the impeller wears and gets a looser fit.

That would be after the sealing edges of the impeller (those raised lines) have worn off.



Chris..........

 

[Rick Stephens]

That would be after the sealing edges of the impeller (those raised lines) have worn off.



Chris..........

Also possible Merc engineering resolved an issue like the exhaust gases eroding the sharp edge of the pump housing where the shaft goes through.They surely didn't care about a small amount of water leakage out of the pump.