Sterndrive Engineering Failure / Forth Return

[Libertybell]

I have a Searay 21' which carried the Alpha One outdrive. In 2010 we had some wear noise showing up at around 490 hours. Decided to replace it with a SEI complete unit. Since replacement we have had continuous problems. At first we heard a grinding noise and sent the unit back under a return authorization at our expense. Sterndrive said they repaired the unit with new bearings and gears. About three months into the repaired unit it failed and would not shift into gear. We sent it back again at our expense. Sterndrive said they fixed the problem and returned the unit to us. About three weeks after installation....completely failed.. we sent it back....Sterndrive sent a call ticket and paid the freight. Upon inspection they called and said they had some bearing and gear failure. SEI sent a NEW UPPER AND LOWER UNIT which we were pleased with and insalled on the boat, made sure the alignment was perfect, completely lubricated and that the reservoir was full. Memorial day weekend 2011.......complete failure 14 miles from home... NEVER OVER 2500 rpm. I have asked around about the quality of SEI
units and have been told that their parts come from China and that there may be a metalurgy issue. If anyone else has any experience with these units please advise..

 

[Don S]

Re: Sterndrive Engineering Failure / Forth Return

Sounds to me like you are going through outdrives very quickly. I really can't see that many drives failing so quickly without something being the cause.
I would be asking things like.
1. Is this an Alpha I or and Alpha I Gen II setup?
2. Was the drive properly filled from the bottom up, with the proper gear lube?
3. What engine do you have, and what is the gear ratio of the drive.
4. What is the idle rpm of the engine in neutral.
5. Do you shift slowly or quickly?
6. Do you run the engine with the drive all the way up?
7. "NEVER OVER 2500 rpm." Is the boat on plane? I can't imagine a boat that stays on plane at 2500 rpm, let alone get on plane.
Just to try and figure out why things are failing so quickly. I doubt it's all just material failure. To many other SEI outdrives in use with no problem for just one person to get every bad drive.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Sterndrive Engineering Failure / Forth Return

7. "NEVER OVER 2500 rpm." Is the boat on plane? I can't imagine a boat that stays on plane at 2500 rpm, let alone get on plane.

I very seldom go over 2500 RPM on my 22' Crownline 225 bowrider. Mostly use it cruising around with the wife. It planes out in a couple of seconds using 2300-2400 RPM max, best cruise is 30 MPH at 2200 RPM. Holding a slow plane at 18-20 MPH for kneeboarding is around 1800 RPM.

It's hard to imagine having enough engine behind an Alpha to do the same, mine is a 496HO with a Bravo 3 turning 28" props.

 

[hjr525252]

sei sterndrive . i live in clearwater and sei is right around the corner.....have

sei sterndrive . i live in clearwater and sei is right around the corner.....have

I have a Searay 21' which carried the Alpha One outdrive. In 2010 we had some wear noise showing up at around 490 hours. Decided to replace it with a SEI complete unit. Since replacement we have had continuous problems. At first we heard a grinding noise and sent the unit back under a return authorization at our expense. Sterndrive said they repaired the unit with new bearings and gears. About three months into the repaired unit it failed and would not shift into gear. We sent it back again at our expense. Sterndrive said they fixed the problem and returned the unit to us. About three weeks after installation....completely failed.. we sent it back....Sterndrive sent a call ticket and paid the freight. Upon inspection they called and said they had some bearing and gear failure. SEI sent a NEW UPPER AND LOWER UNIT which we were pleased with and insalled on the boat, made sure the alignment was perfect, completely lubricated and that the reservoir was full. Memorial day weekend 2011.......complete failure 14 miles from home... NEVER OVER 2500 rpm. I have asked around about the quality of SEI
units and have been told that their parts come from China and that there may be a metalurgy issue. If anyone else has any experience with these units please advise..

had 3 alphas from them in the past 9 years...love em and run them hard. have had no issues and its cheaper to get a new one from them than to fix the used ones.