Water where it shouldn't be in outdrive?

[chuck in WA]

Hello experts,

After owning my 1985 Sea Ray with 140 Merc Alpha MR for 3 years, I decided it's time to have a look at my impeller (for the first time) and install a new one. I did this because of the opinions of many of you on this forum who say it should be changed every year or two, not because I've been having any cooling issues.

When separating the lower unit from the upper gear housing, about a tablespoon of water drained out when the drive shaft splines separated. I can see a few drops of water remaining in the splined female portion in the upper gear housing, which reinforces my opinion of where the water appeared to come from. I assume this is not normal. The o-ring around the top of the drive shaft was intact, so what else stops water from going up into the area where the drive shaft couples with the upper gear housing? When I drained my gear lube, there was no indication of water in the lube, it was green as ever (no milk).

While trying to figure this out, I did some looking over the online MerCruiser manual that Don S always posts, and I have questions on 2 parts. They are numbers 17 and 41 in the diagram attached (or if my diagram doesn't post, it's on page 3B-8 of the Merc manual). I assume #17 is the o-ring that goes around the drive shaft at the top, near the splines? Where does #41 (rubber ring) go? I did not find any such ring when I disassembled the drive and water pump, but one is included in my rebuild kit. Perhaps the lack of this ring allowed water into the spline coupling area? Does this ring simply slide down the driveshaft and rest on top of the water pump?

Thanks all!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Water where it shouldn't be in outdrive?

Exhaust and spent water pass thru on it's way out the prop.

If the O-ring is square and thick, it rests on top of the water pump housing. If it's a regular o-ring, it goes on the driveshaft below the splines. It's only job is to keep grease on the splines. Yours might not have that slot. The kit has parts for a few slightly different models, so a few unused parts isn't unusual..

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: Water where it shouldn't be in outdrive?

Thanks for the quick reply WillyB. #17 is a regular o-ring, and I do have the slot so I'll be putting it on there. And yes, #41 is square and thick. #41 is the one which I didn't find installed during disassembly - hopefully nothing is damaged in the upper gear housing. Thanks for the heads up about the extra parts - I'm going to have quite a few!

 

[Don S]

Re: Water where it shouldn't be in outdrive?

Chuck, your picture didn't come thru. Looks like you are using the "attachment" link to try and post a picture. That has never worked, probably never will. If you are trying to post a pic, you need to have the picture on the web at someplace like photobucket.com then post the pics URL in the box you get when you click the

button above the text box.

 

[Don S]

Re: Water where it shouldn't be in outdrive?

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: Water where it shouldn't be in outdrive?

Perfect. Thank you gentlemen!