Pulled lower unit lube plugs, no O ring?

WhereBob

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 29, 2004
Messages
82
I'm changing the lube on my 1990 alpha one sterndrive and I pulled the upper vent and lower drain plug and there are no O rings on these plugs? Is that normal? Should I get some and use them when I re-install my plugs?


Thanks
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Pulled lower unit lube plugs, no O ring?

yes, get some for reinstall... be sure ya get the mercuriser or equivalent. they are not orings as ya think of them... they look like this

IMG_4258.jpg


this one is blue, color got a little washed out by the flash i guess..

did any water drain out?

look close at the female side of the screw. them fiber orings get stuck down in the recess of the the drive....
 

meesh

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 24, 2008
Messages
256
Re: Pulled lower unit lube plugs, no O ring?

They look like the picture that was posted and if you look close they are probably stuck in the case. Even if they are there I would replace them.
 

WhereBob

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 29, 2004
Messages
82
Re: Pulled lower unit lube plugs, no O ring?

Yeah I did look for the O ring in the cavity and stuck my finger in there too...... nothing in there and didn't see any water in the old lube either. I take it I can only get those at the dealer? I'll have to wait till monday then. I went ahead and filled since we are suppose to freeze tonight and I didn't want moisture/vaporation to form inside there. I think if I keep the vent plug on I won't lose any lube when I take the plug off and should be able to hold with my finger while I put the ring on.
 

chiefalen

Captain
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
3,598
Re: Pulled lower unit lube plugs, no O ring?

It's a flat washer plastick, home depot has them cheaper than the dealer.
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Pulled lower unit lube plugs, no O ring?

Yeah I did look for the O ring in the cavity and stuck my finger in there too...... nothing in there....

I'll bet it is there, it has just hardened and looks like it is part of the case by now. If you take a pick of some sort you will be able to tell if the fiber washer is there. If it is, pick it out - in pieces if necessary - and put new ones in.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Pulled lower unit lube plugs, no O ring?

^^^^

yeah, what he said... it must be there, or i'd think ya would have had water intrusion for no seal....
 
Top