Oil leaking from Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drain Hole...

[PBarrett]

I brought my boat home from the lake a few weeks ago to do some maintenance and repairs and the first thing I did was drain and refill the gear lube. The boat has been sitting in the driveway for a few weeks now with the drive tilted up, and I go out today and I find that I have gear lube dripping on to the concrete. Not a lot, a spot the size of a 50 cent piece. I thought it was leaking from the drain/fill hole but upon further inspection I find it is leaking out the port side water drain hole. The little hole at the top, front of the lower unit. Any ideas?

I'm supposed to take the boat on a trip this week and need to get it fixed fast. Any assistance will be appreciated. BTW, the oil I drained out looked fine.

Thanks,
PB

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Oil leaking from Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drain Hole...

The drive needs removed from the boat, gear lube drained and the pressure checked to find the leak. With about 15 psi of air and a spray bottle with soapy water. Look for the bubbles...



Found this by using the "Search" function...




The weep hole you are talking about is to drain the cavities on either side of the lower unit shift rod. Gear oil could get here from one of three likely sources.

1) It can come up from the lower and through the water pump carrier assembly and then through the pump housing seals accross and then into the cavity and weep hole. This is the easier fix. Complete water pump kit in your lower unit.

2) It can run down from the upper along the drive shaft, over the top of the water pump housing and then into the cavity. This is more difficult as the seals on the upper shaft assembly need to be replaced.

3) the shift shaft seal itself.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Oil leaking from Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drain Hole...

i'll put ten bucks on the shift shaft seal

they seem to be the first to go out on the alpha drives - and with the drive tilted and weep hole leakage - seems like a safe bet

definitely remove and drain the drive, pressure test and check for leaks

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Oil leaking from Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drain Hole...

I have repaired several of these where the entire seal popped out of the plastic shift shaft bushing. I always Loctite the new one in.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Oil leaking from Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drain Hole...

I have repaired several of these where the entire seal popped out of the plastic shift shaft bushing. I always Loctite the new one in.

why not just replace the entire shift shaft carrier/seal assy??

the time it takes to remove the assy, remove the seal, clean the carrier and install the new seal seems like a hassle

i have never replaced just the seal, only the entire seal carrier assy - you risk damage to the carrier when removing the seal

its like replacing just the impeller in a MC 1, R/MR/Alpha One drive - you're in there, replace everything - what you pay in parts, you save in labor - plus peace of mind knowing all the parts are new

 

[PBarrett]

Re: Oil leaking from Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drain Hole...

Thanks for the help guys. I have the drive off right now and will pickup the parts in the morning. The admiral is looking forward to our boat trip, so I better get it fixed and ready to go. When I return, I'll pull the drive again and have it pressure tested.

Thanks,
PB

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Oil leaking from Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drain Hole...

You should pressure test it after your repair or the "Admiral" is gonna kill ya when you have to fork out a couple thousand for a new outdrive...