Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

[Lyndy]

:% Is this a good investment for the Occasional Self Maintenance Newbie like myself or is there more to it? :%

I saw this on Ebay:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280075373619&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

You'll only need it if you're losing gear oil or gaining water in the gearcase.,and have to reseal the outdrive.
Then you use it to test the seals you have installed.Nice to have,but would you actually reseal the drive yourself?
If not,you don't need it.

DHP

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

You'll only need it if you're losing gear oil or gaining water in the gearcase.,and have to reseal the outdrive.
Then you use it to test the seals you have installed.Nice to have,but would you actually reseal the drive yourself?
If not,you don't need it.

DHP

At this point and time in my abilities or lack of, I was considering it as Diagnostic Tool only.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Good point,let me try and expand on it.

It is not really a diagnostic tool.You don't regularly drain the outdrive and do a pressure/vacuum test on it.

On the otherhand,if you have a problem with the oil in the drive,you could use this to test which seal is leaking. But unless the drive was just resealed,ALL the seals are old and should be replaced.Then you use the tester.

Not a bad thing to have in your tool kit,but how often will you use it?

DHP

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Lyndy,I bought the same one from that guy.It works great for the cost.I found out my dipstick on my cobra had a very small leak.Pumped it up and sprayed dish soap and water mixture on the drive.Found the leak fast.The vacuum works great also..

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

I was considering it as Diagnostic Tool only.

The ONLY thing a pressure and vacuum check are used for is to locate leaks. There isn't anything on or in the drives that are pressure or vacuum operated that would cause the drive not to work that would need to be tested with this tool. It's sole purpose is to locate leaks.

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Not a bad thing to have in your tool kit,but how often will you use it?

DHP

Probably one time, given the situation where I have gotten to the point where I want to tear an Upper or Lower Gearcase Apart (other than my own, like a doner that I actually have. It is the old lower that was on this boat) and then want to test it for leaks.

I may want to do this in the somewhat distant future when I have nothing better to type of thing.

Oh, by the way, I am talking about a Black Anchor Want To Be (OMC) Drive Unit in case some of you did not already know.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

I bought mine because i resealed my upper gearcase due to a waterpump shaft seal leak.I was going to just put the drive back on but the little voice in my head said better pressure test first.Glad i did.Found the other leak. Good tool to add to my toolbox anyway..

 

[Lyndy]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Good tool to add to my toolbox anyway..

That comment is much appreciated. Thanks Gary!

 

[Dshow]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

What seals are you talking about (anybody have pictures?) I recently replaced my cooling impeller in my mercruiser Alpha 1 gen II outdrive and I'm not sure what seals your talking about. All I remember is a small washer type seal...

Thanks- Dshow

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Dshow, he has an OMC stringer outdrive, absolutley nothing in common with your AIG2 drive except that they are attached to the outside of the boat and on the transom.
There are all kinds of seals on your drive and his drive that can leak gear lube or suck in water.
Best thing to do is get an OEM service manual (NOT a Clymer or Seloc) and read it and understand what it is saying. Owning a boat doesn't make you a marine mechanic.
Here is a link to a free online Mercruiser manual for your Alpha I Gen II drive.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Don hit that nail on the head! I have learned a bunch from my factory manual. My seloc is now somewhere in the shed..scrap parts pile..but who cares..lol..

Lyndy,let me know how it works for you..8)

 

[imported_Jed]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

Thanks Don. But the link seems to just bring up a title page and that's about it. Am I missing something?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

On the page that comes up, just click on the button titled "Main Menu" and then you can go ahead and choose from there.

 

[imported_Jed]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Does it work for you? I click on it and it says " Could not open the file '../../mainmenu.pdf' " I'm sorry for hijacking this thread but an online manual would be great!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Yep, works fine for me. It must have something to do with the settings on your computer.

 

[imported_Jed]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Ok I got it working. Thanks for the help Fishermark.

I'd like to replace the impeller on my 1999 Alpha I Gen II as I don't think it's ever been done. And I'd assume that this pressure/vacuum tester would come in hand after that.

 

[crawdadric]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

I bought one and it came in handy. This winter I removed my drive, changed the oil (came out normal color) and did the pressure test. It held 12 psi for 15 minutes. I wanted to rotate the prop by turning the drive shaft and I had to turn the shift shaft clockwise for forward gear. While I was doing this, I heard air escaping from the shift shaft seal. Replaced the seal, all is good and I feel my drive will survive next spring.d

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

I pumped mine to 15 psi,left it overnight and it held.
I'm not sure why the directions say 15 minutes but was advised by techs here in the forums to let sit overnight or at least a couple hours.

 

[Dshow]

Re: Outdrive Stern Drive Gear Case Leg Leak Detector

Thanks for the response. I don't consider myself a marine mechanic, but I do have a manual and followed the directions... I'm just wondering if I missed something. I simply dropped the lower leg, replaced the impeller, faceplate, and gaskets #23, 24, 25 and 6 below, and reassembled. Which gasket(s) are you refering to?