Pulled motor, now what ?

[CaptainMak]

Pulled the motor due to rear side oil leak.

Replacing the oil pan gasket and rear main seal for sure. What else should be replaced while the motor is out?

I suppose auto parts are okay for these parts ?

Thinking bellows also.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Where was the leak? Be where I'd start.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Where was the leak? Be where I'd start.

it was dripping on the flywheel thus the two beforehand mentioned seals are getting replaced.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Not sure what engine/drive combination you have but some of the items that need the engine to be removed:
Inner transom plate, rear engine mounts, Y pipe, engine coupler would be items on the inside to make sure are all up to par.

Gimbal housing/ring and gimbal bearing along with components that feed through the transom such as the raw water and drive lube connectors.

Those are the items that I would be doing a close inspection on should my motor have to come out....which will be a big pita...

Mark

 

[achris]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Something else I would be looking at closely (read "change anyway") are the rear engine mounts. On those in-line 6 engines, the rear mounts bear a lot more weight than with a V engine. They have a habit of sagging over time. While the engine's out, replace them....

Chris...

 

[thumpar]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

If the alignment was not checked regularly you might want to take a close look at the coupler.

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Would like to add: Going through the hassle of pulling the motor is a good opportunity to do a bunch of stuff. Rear, front seals, pan, valve cover, maybe even a valve job.

 

[achris]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

If you're in salt water, how about adding 'remove and galvanise oil pan'.... :noidea:

 

[Walt T]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Absolutely replace coupler, its silly not to. Gimbal, flappers, all the above mentioned. I would look all over that motor for any corrosion issues and maybe clean it really good and paint it. Make it look all nice and spiffy. Maybe the engine will be all proud of itself and give ya some more power.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Sorry, forgot to mention.

This is a new-to-me 2001 Merc 5.0 (GM 305 block) with a carb.

The engine oil leak was in the back, dripping on the flywheel housing that's why I pulled the motor. Seemed like it was either coming from the rear main seal or the oil pan gasket (hard to tell). Both will be replaced.

The coupler looks good, the flywheel has no missing or chipped teeth. One thing I DID notice was the different core plugs. I don't know if it makes a difference, but the rear outer ones, under the heads, were both yellow (copper?). The middle one was silver (steel?) Possible for oil to leak here also ? Why different materials ?

Also, noticed water in my u-joint bellows. Are the bellows easier to change with drive off and engine off or it doesn't make a difference ?

chrisa660, no salt water.

Here are some pics

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

steel plugs are never used in marine motors, post the engine serial number located just above the starter

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Inspect, don't wipe! It the oil is on the exterior of the flywheel housing check for leaks at the rear of the valve cover, at the distributor bushing, the edge of the intake manifold and the oil pressure sender. Follow the oil back to where it came from.
If it's inside the housing it's probably from the rear main seal.
Make sure you don't get fooled like I did by a leak in the power steering control valve. I sealed up my whole motor last spring. When I restarted it my bilge got oily quick. When I looked a little further there was power steering fluid in there. I rebuilt the valve with a no longer made, new old stock $18 kit, it's nice and dry now.
You can find so much stuff on the net. I found the old # in Mercruiser's parts list and googled it. Voila, fixed it cheap and right.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

All the core plugs should be brass.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Inspect, don't wipe! It the oil is on the exterior of the flywheel housing check for leaks at the rear of the valve cover, at the distributor bushing, the edge of the intake manifold and the oil pressure sender. Follow the oil back to where it came from.
If it's inside the housing it's probably from the rear main seal.
Make sure you don't get fooled like I did by a leak in the power steering control valve. I sealed up my whole motor last spring. When I restarted it my bilge got oily quick. When I looked a little further there was power steering fluid in there. I rebuilt the valve with a no longer made, new old stock $18 kit, it's nice and dry now.
You can find so much stuff on the net. I found the old # in Mercruiser's parts list and googled it. Voila, fixed it cheap and right.

I did the leak test with the dye and UV light. It was definitely in the rear of motor leaking onto the flywheel. There was also a small leak at the rear of intake manifold, but I resealed it.

I see you are in NH. I lived in NH for over 17 years. Loved Lake Sunapee the most of all lakes.

 

[achris]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Sorry, forgot to mention.

This is a new-to-me 2001 Merc 5.0 (GM 305 block) with a carb.

Confused ... I thought you had an in-line 6... :noidea:

The engine oil leak was in the back, dripping on the flywheel housing that's why I pulled the motor. Seemed like it was either coming from the rear main seal or the oil pan gasket (hard to tell). Both will be replaced.

The coupler looks good, the flywheel has no missing or chipped teeth. One thing I DID notice was the different core plugs. I don't know if it makes a difference, but the rear outer ones, under the heads, were both yellow (copper?). The middle one was silver (steel?) Possible for oil to leak here also ? Why different materials ?

All core plugs should be brass. Use a magnet, if you find a steel one in there, remove it and replace it with a brass one (any car parts shop will do, doesn't need the 'marine' price tag). BTW, core plugs only seal the water jacket, no oil leaks from a leaking core plug.

Also, noticed water in my u-joint bellows. Are the bellows easier to change with drive off and engine off or it doesn't make a difference ?

Ohhhh, that's not good. Makes no difference engine in or out... You do need to find where the water's got in though...

chrisa660, no salt water.

Ahhhhh, my you-tube name... You remembered, how sweet... :excitement:

Chris.....

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Chris,
that's the classic that's inline 6er.. got that AND this 5.0 Right now, the V8 is in surgery

 

[muc]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

The plug in the middle of the last picture should be steel. Yes it can leak oil because it seals the hole that the cam shaft is in. I have had to replace a couple of them due to oil leaks --- buts it's very rare.

Yes you need to address the water in the bellows, from the looks of the rusty water it?s been in there awhile. My guess is the gimbal bearing, u-joints and yoke seal will need replacement along with the bellow themselves.

While the engine is out. Check the torque on the y-pipe bolts and think about doing the starter and bilge pump. They are much easier now. Also a good time to clean the bilge and look the motor over real good for oil leaks.

 

[achris]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Think this new job's gettin' to me... :facepalm:... Didn't even SEE the pictures.... Yeah, what MUC said....

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

Yes you need to address the water in the bellows, from the looks of the rusty water it?s been in there awhile. My guess is the gimbal bearing, u-joints and yoke seal will need replacement along with the bellow themselves.

While the engine is out. Check the torque on the y-pipe bolts and think about doing the starter and bilge pump. They are much easier now. Also a good time to clean the bilge and look the motor over real good for oil leaks.

The bilge pump is definitely getting replaced but the starter is new only has 40 hrs on it (it was replaced with the short block about a year ago).

So the only place water can get into the drive shaft bellows is a bad bellows itself, correct ?! Or is there something else that can be letting the water in. ??

Also, it's a 2001 Alpha 1 Gen II drive. I can't seem to find the correct kit with so many options out there. Anyone know the part # for it ?

 

[achris]

Re: Pulled motor, now what ?

The bilge pump is definitely getting replaced but the starter is new only has 40 hrs on it (it was replaced with the short block about a year ago).

So the only place water can get into the drive shaft bellows is a bad bellows itself, correct ?! Or is there something else that can be letting the water in. ??

Also, it's a 2001 Alpha 1 Gen II drive. I can't seem to find the correct kit with so many options out there. Anyone know the part # for it ?

If you're looking for a 'transom seal kit', the number is 30-803099T1. (Includes all 3 bellows, gimbal bearing, water tube, and all the gaskets and 'O' rings for the job.) If the bellows is still original from 2001, possibly the sides have a worn hole in them...

One of the times I had my engine out, I put a second bilge pump in, wired in parallel with the first... It sits directly under the exhaust Y-pipe. Works well...

Chris.........