more outdrive questions

[Cptkid570]

Hi everyone? I?ve read a few posts on this and just wanted to get a better understanding. Mercruiser Alpha One outdrive, Gen I.

I have oil coming out of that little hole in the from part of the lower unit (weep hole?) Attached is a photo of the hole.

Would this oil be getting into there due to something with the upper drive or lower drive? I?m going to be replacing the upper drive (because the gears are stripped out ? probably from not having enough oil!!)

I have some questions:

1. How do I pressure test this and can just the lower drive be pressure tested? (I?ve already separated the drives.

2. Other posts say that it could be the Shift Shaft Seal? where exactly is this seal?? Will a pressure test determine if it?s this seal? Is it hard to replace this seal?

3.Could it be anything else in the lower that would cause this problem?

I?m really trying to just replace me upper drive to save some $$, but I want to make sure my lower is OK. (yes, I know that my lower drive and prop look like crap

 

[Mike V]

Re: more outdrive questions

Mine drips from there also, (very little but drips)
I am going to spend the $1200 this winter THEN try to rebuild the old lower as a "spare" as sooner or later a rock or stump will spoil another fishing party.
There is a kit you can buy to redo all the seals etc...
Good Luck
Mike

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: more outdrive questions

Hi everyone? I?ve read a few posts on this and just wanted to get a better understanding. Mercruiser Alpha One outdrive, Gen I.

I have oil coming out of that little hole in the from part of the lower unit (weep hole?) Attached is a photo of the hole.

Would this oil be getting into there due to something with the upper drive or lower drive? I?m going to be replacing the upper drive (because the gears are stripped out ? probably from not having enough oil!!)
It can be either one....

I have some questions:

1. How do I pressure test this and can just the lower drive be pressure tested? (I?ve already separated the drives.

You will need a compression tester gauge, connected to the fitting that comes on the gear lube pump, & a means to plug the hole where the oil passage seal goes.....
I have one of those tire pumps that you use your foot on....
Pump to 15#......
They do sell a tester on ebay for like $50......​

2. Other posts say that it could be the Shift Shaft Seal? where exactly is this seal?? Will a pressure test determine if it?s this seal? Is it hard to replace this seal?
Could be that or the water pump seal or the water pump base gasket or the oil seal in the upper drive shaft housing....
You will need to pressure test & brush some soapy water on it to locate the leak......
Some of the seals are easy, some will require major disassembly.....
3.Could it be anything else in the lower that would cause this problem?
Doubtful, but........
I?m really trying to just replace me upper drive to save some $$, but I want to make sure my lower is OK. (yes, I know that my lower drive and prop look like crap

I would replace both, tools to completly reseal the drive will cost that extra $500 that you are trying to save.....

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: more outdrive questions

I pressure tested the lower portion of my outdrive last night... I didn't use soapy water, but the drive held in air for like 20 minutes at the same pressure.. So I'm guessing that if it will hold air, then it will hold gear oil.

I tested the upper drive and air immediately came out from the part where the vertical shaft goes into the upper drive. So, I'm I correct that there is a seal there and that would be the one that went bad and allowed oil to come out of the weep hole??

One more question -- Without taking it apart, what can I do to make sure that no metal shavings got into my lower? Is there a fluid or something that I can use to flush it out?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: more outdrive questions

Pressure tests usually include a vacuum test also.It should hold pressure for hours.Also you need to turn the prop during the test every few minutes..
If the upper seals are leaking then the lower is not far behind.