Possible Leaky Alpha One???

[sebago_kid]

I just bought a 1989 wellcraft 216 Eclipse, 5.7L Merc/Alpha one. I had a marine mechanic go through it and perform an inspection of the boat. He attached a small air pump and gauge to the lower unit, and supposedly it should have held at 7 psi. The gauge went to 8 or so, then slowly backed off to 5 or a bit less, and held. Does this unit need to be resealed now? I am pretty fair with tools and mechanical assembly... I've been working in industrial maintenance for 20 years, Master Electrician by trade... How big of a job is resealing this 1989 Alpha one?
Should I pay the 85 bucks an hour for him to do it, or should I be able to tackle it???

 

[Don S]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

First of all, you have to know where the drive is leaking and make sure the pump hose is not the cause of the leak. The drive has to be off the boat and the gear lube drained. Then pump it up to about 12 to 15 psi and spray some soapy water over all the seals and connections on the drive. turn the shafts and shift shaft. Espccially check the input shaft seal.
You may just have a leaky drain plug gasket.
Then once you find the leak, you can determine if you can fix it or not.

PS: Also spray soapy water on your pressure tester, to make sure it isn't the leak. The seal where the hose goes into the drive is a good place for small leaks.

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Huh... Thank you, Don!...never even thought about the hand pump hose leaking....
There were 2 different points at which he tested pressure...
there was one point on the upper portion of the drive, where he input 14 psi, and it held nicely. then he went to the lower portion of the drive, and input the 7-8 psi, and it leaked. He assumed it to be (most likely) the prop shaft, or final output shaft. However, he didn't soap it to pinpoint the location, and the drive was on. I have taken apart and resealed small, older outboards, and had no issues. I was wondering if the stern drive units were similar, or a bit more involved. In any case, I suppose I do want to replace the water pump, anyway, just so I know it's new. I probably should (providing it is, in fact the drive that's leaking) tear it down and reseal/replace/inspect everything in there, and check the bellows and gimbal with everything off, just because the rest of the boat is in awesome shape... Maybe I'll get a good manual and do it myself. $85.50 per hour puckers my hiney-hole a bit, ya know?

 

[Don S]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

There were 2 different points at which he tested pressure...
there was one point on the upper portion of the drive, where he input 14 psi, and it held nicely. then he went to the lower portion of the drive, and input the 7-8 psi, and it leaked.

Is the drives lower unit seperated from the upper ?????

If still together, the 2 halves are connected together. if you pressurize the upper, the lower is being pressurized also. They ARE NOT filled seperatly.

If they did this with the drive still together, gather up your stuff and find a mechanic.
The OEM manuals can be downloaded up in the Adults Only sticky at the top of this forum

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Don, this is very interesting news to me....
just so I'm on the same page...
If he put 14 pounds on the upper unit of my 1989 alpha one, and it held solidly, then the lower unit is also seeing that pressure? then there should be no leaking at all in the whole drive?
He told me that there are shaft seals in the middle of the two, and that they are seperate, and that was why he used a different pump on the lower, and pumped to 7-8 psi. does it seem he's trying to get into my wallet???
Everything is in tact and together, just like you'd put it in the water right now.

 

[searay3]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Yes. When assembled the oil cavities are as one. The only seal between upper and lower is a quad ring between the halves. Download the manual and everything will be clear.

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Yes. When assembled the oil cavities are as one. The only seal between upper and lower is a quad ring between the halves. Download the manual and everything will be clear.

you guys just save me from a $400 bend-over session.
I'll split the $400 between the 2 of you. $200 each, k?
....oh... sorry.... wife just slapped me.... forget the 200 apeice..

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

I'm just gonna go get it, and take it home. I was going to have him install a new control cable as well, but not now. I'll do it myself, and look for a reputable, honest marine mechanic for the major stuff. maybe even recheck the pressure test. I have all sorts of doubts, now.

 

[Don S]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

He told me that there are shaft seals in the middle of the two, and that they are seperate, and that was why he used a different pump on the lower, and pumped to 7-8 psi. does it seem he's trying to get into my wallet???

Those are the kinds of crooks that give honest marine techs (like me) a bad name.

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Those are the kinds of crooks that give honest marine techs (like me) a bad name.

Thank you SOOOOO much, Don.
I'm a new member here, and I can hardly believe the wealth of info and good people such as yourself to help steer me in the right direction.
I'm not a marine mechanic/Technician, but I am an electrician, instrumentation tech, and part-time millwright. I'll do my very best to offer any help or info I can in return for the great info you guys give!

 

[sunchaser85]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

So what was the outcome on your pressure test (at home?).

I bought my 85 sunchaser last year and I'm thinkin that this pressure test should be done once a year? I pull the drive at the end of the season as part of my winterization program (lube the u-joints) and think perhaps this might be a good time to test it?

did you have a bad seal?

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Hey Sebago Kid- I assume your in southern maine? I am as well, and also an electrician, maybe we know each other. What was the name of the place? I know of 2 good mechanics that I would trust leaving my boat and even a blank check with, let me know if you want the names.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Sebago kid. After reading, getting sound advise and referance material here and if your willing and capable to doing these repairs and checks yourself you shouldn't need a tech for most all boat maintenance. As the Don said " Those crooks give honest techs a bad name" And the honest ones are getting harder to find. (@least in my area) That's why I enjoy and do it myself plus my wife stopped slapping me to. Plus here I garuntee you will learn something new everyday. good luck!

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Sebago kid. After reading, getting sound advise and referance material here and if your willing and capable to doing these repairs and checks yourself you shouldn't need a tech for most all boat maintenance. As the Don said " Those crooks give honest techs a bad name" And the honest ones are getting harder to find. (@least in my area) That's why I enjoy and do it myself plus my wife stopped slapping me to. Plus here I garuntee you will learn something new everyday. good luck!

I may rig up a pressure tester like I saw in a thread here somewhere...
I agree with the learning thing... I learn every time I'm on this site!

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Hey Sebago Kid- I assume your in southern maine? I am as well, and also an electrician, maybe we know each other. What was the name of the place? I know of 2 good mechanics that I would trust leaving my boat and even a blank check with, let me know if you want the names.

I just PM'd ya.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Guys, are you sure that there are not 2 seperate cavitys?

The reason I ask is because I have used this mechanic a lot in the past and had great results, they really took care of me and never tried to screw me.

Just curious.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

I think just the real old drives had split uppers and lowers and you can tell because of more fill and vent screws top unit and lower unit. Yours is way to new.

 

[wil7483]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Personally I think you should send Don S the $85.00 since he thwarted you from getting bent over and done up nicely without any grease.

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

Personally I think you should send Don S the $85.00 since he thwarted you from getting bent over and done up nicely without any grease.

The reseal job plus a new control cable was quoted at about 600 bucks.
I thought it was steep-ish.
I'm all for paying a guy for work done, but if it don't need it,....
I don't want to single handedly jumpstart the economy here....
so, I'll send Don 300, and call it good.

 

[sebago_kid]

Re: Possible Leaky Alpha One???

So what was the outcome on your pressure test (at home?).

I bought my 85 sunchaser last year and I'm thinkin that this pressure test should be done once a year? I pull the drive at the end of the season as part of my winterization program (lube the u-joints) and think perhaps this might be a good time to test it?

did you have a bad seal?

I haven't had time to recheck yet. I definitely will keep ya posted.