Water pump replacement gone south Alpha one Gen 2

[shackle101]

Hey guys so replaced the water pump on my alpha one gen 2, and now when putting my boat in forward or reverse it seems more difficult. Also in forward it's making a loud clicking noise. I suspect something isn't seated correctly as I only took the foot off. When you guys service these do you take the upper unit off as well? (I'm used to outboards). I'm really hoping this didn't damage the spines or something is that likely? At this point I feel like I'll need to drain the oil and take it off with the upper unit and try to get it seated better. Any other suggestions?

I did test it with only 4 of those main bolts in but they are tight and I see no gaps at all between the lower and upper unit. Maybe I need to add the anode, and back bolt? I doubt that would change much. Good news is the pump seems to be working fine at least.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I would recommend not leaving the upper attached while pulling the lower off. It is really easy to get things misaligned and damage the upper output seal or get the shift shafts misaligned. Also easy to work on if you build a simple slot type stand to hold the lower while dropping the upper down on it.

Rick

 

[shackle101]

Thanks rick I took both off now, and glad I did (and had bellows repair kit on hand) cause the gaskets are kinda rough behind the upper unit. Yeah I got two 2x4s holding them up and plan on getting it aligned just right. Anyway I can test it's ok before putting it back on?

THANKS!

 

[Rick Stephens]

Thanks rick I took both off now, and glad I did (and had bellows repair kit on hand) cause the gaskets are kinda rough behind the upper unit. Yeah I got two 2x4s holding them up and plan on getting it aligned just right. Anyway I can test it's ok before putting it back on?

THANKS!

There are a number of things to test for.

You can do a pressure test, to make sure the seals are all good. Make your own pressure tester for just a few dollars. In the long run well worth having in your toolbox.

You might watch Chris's YouTube videos on rebuilding the Gen2. Simple and to the point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2b3TonHDQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqrRX6Z__-4

Rick

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... When yer puttin' the drive back on,..... Jack up the front of the wagon,....

You'll probably be able to just rock the drive on, rather than liftin', 'n pushin' it back on,....

 

[shackle101]

So you saying doing this with just the lower unit? I'm sort of confused

Ayuh,.... When yer puttin' the drive back on,..... Jack up the front of the wagon,....

You'll probably be able to just rock the drive on, rather than liftin', 'n pushin' it back on,....

 

[Rick Stephens]

Not to put words in bondo's mouth, but no, he is talking about sliding the whole leg back on.

 

[Bt Doctur]

instead of trying to raise it and hold it there, add some wood under the skeg and tilt the boat untill the transom housing is in a straight line with the drive.Then slide the complete drive on

 

[shackle101]

Yeah so I got it back on with the upper unit pulled off with lower unit. Everything seems to be done exactly as the videos on youtube except I pulled it off in neutral I installed it with it fully in forward however. I also confirmed the shift rod was in the slot it's supposed to be, but it's still making a grinding noise and not engaging when going forward. It ran completely fine prior to replacing the water pump.

I did not remove the prop am I supposed to? Have I maybe damaged my lower unit?

 

[shackle101]

RPM seems to be jumping around as well not sure what's up with that, and it was smoking pretty bad (but that could be from sitting during the winter) I did get it to go in forward when I started it again, but I put it in reverse it grinded pretty bad and wouldn't go in forward again.

 

[shackle101]

More troubleshooting when not running. in N the prop spins both ways, in Forward it spins both ways but there is a click noise when going counter-clockwise. In reverse is spins counter clockwise, but won't turn clockwise.

UPDATE: I messed with the shifter rod in the back near the hose you have to unplug to the lower unit, and moving it a little counterclockwise gets the drive to lock counter-clockwise.

So do this mean I need to adjust the shift levers ontop of the engine? Seems odd since I only took the unit out and didn't mess with the shift cable.

Would this be a good video to follow on adjusting the shift cable?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYn7VJ2y7fI

 

[Rick Stephens]

This is the best shift cable adjustment video anywhere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_tgevX2aI

If you got the drive off in neutral then it is not set up correctly - either something is off on the lower shift shaft or the cable adjustment is waaay off. You should not be able to remove the drive in neutral without breaking something. When in forward the shift shaft is pointed directly forward and the shoe it goes into is also pointed directly forward.

 

[Bt Doctur]

My guess is the shift arm got broken

 

[shackle101]

Thanks what I noticed is when fully in forward the shift shaft isn't perfectly center (going to the left from the back of the boat) I had to pull it back some to get it center to install it. So maybe the shift cables are way off? Questions is how the heck did that happen?

 

[shackle101]

shift arm seemed to me moving back and forward fine without issues. It did move around quit a bit though.

 

[Bt Doctur]

shift adjustments do not move by thgemselves unless your boat is possesed. let me find a video

 

[shackle101]

It moved when I adjusted the throttle, but the arm itself did wiggle and have some play when messing with it. Should it normally be solid and have very little play?

shift adjustments do not move by thgemselves unless your boat is possesed. let me find a video

 

[Bt Doctur]

adjusting the throttle has nothing to do with the shift?

 

[Rick Stephens]

If twas me, I would pull the overdrive off and make sure the drive goes into forward when the shift shaft arm is straight forward and reverse when rotated CCW all the way. When in forward the propeller should not turn CCW. When in reverse the propeller should not turn CW - facing forward.

 

[shackle101]

I did test this, and it was working before I installed it. so I guess now it's time to check that shift arm and shift cable adjustments.

If twas me, I would pull the overdrive off and make sure the drive goes into forward when the shift shaft arm is straight forward and reverse when rotated CCW all the way. When in forward the propeller should not turn CCW. When in reverse the propeller should not turn CW - facing forward.