Outdrive Oil Alpha 1 Gen 2 - A little creamy....

[Capt.T]

I just drained my Alpha 1 Gen 2 outdrive and found that the oil was a little creamy colored. I had changed the oil in May with the recommended Mercruiser oil and put about 30 hours of use on the boat this past summer. Once the oil was drained, I pressure tested the outdrive at 12 PSIG for 45 minutes, soap tested all probable leak areas, and there were "no indication of leaks". Any reason why the oil was a little creamy but no leaks were found? Note; the boat was docked in Lake Michigan from May to October.

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Outdrive Oil Alpha 1 Gen 2 - A little creamy....

Obviously, you have water intrusion. This could be as simple as a drain screw washer going bad, or missing. When you did the pressure test, did you move the driveshaft around ? Also, did you perform a vacume test ? I seem to recall that you need to do that as well to cover all the bases.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Outdrive Oil Alpha 1 Gen 2 - A little creamy....

You definitly need to do the vacuum test. Pay particular attention to the prop shaft seals. There are two of them back to back (facing opposite directions) One keeps oil from escaping, the other keeps water out.

 

[Capt.T]

Re: Outdrive Oil Alpha 1 Gen 2 - A little creamy....

How much vacuum is needed?

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Outdrive Oil Alpha 1 Gen 2 - A little creamy....

Don't go more that -7 lbs. Then just watch and see if it holds. If it doesn't hold. bring the vacuum back to -7 and listen at every seal and plug until you hear a hissing sound.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Outdrive Oil Alpha 1 Gen 2 - A little creamy....

If the drain plug seals are good most likely the vertical drive seals. This is one of the gen II poor designs. plastic seals with no glue to hold them. What is needed is the ss banded seals so they will seat better and stay. But the gen II uses cheap plastic ones. If you have to replace them I would (making sure everything is super clean) run a bead of super glue around the edges to hold them in.

 

[Capt.T]

Re: Outdrive Oil Alpha 1 Gen 2 - A little creamy....

Thank you, I appreciate all of the advise.......