|
| Oil leaking through weephole in stern... |
| Author |
Message |
    
Rick Root
New member
Username: rickroot
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 11:48 pm: | 
|
So I'm not very mechanical, and my dad, who is, helped me replace the water pump (all of it) in my 1985 mercruiser alpha one stern drive.
Since we didn't know what the hell we were doing, and didn't really follow the instructions in my SELOC manual, we ended up installing the water pump without one part (which we suspected was missing but thought maybe since it didn't come with this particular part that maybe we didn't need it).. Before installing the water pump, we poured the gear lube oil back into cavity below the water pump (this took freakin' forever).... then installed the water pump, and reattached the lower unit.
I didn't actually run the engine at this point because I suspected missing parts, but one thing I noticed was gear lube oil leaking out the weephole in the lower unit.
Well, today, we removed the lower unit again and completed the water pump installation. The two pieces we hadn't installed were the flinger (aka "rubber ring") that sits on top of the water pump housing, and the drive shaft o-ring. So we added those parts, and noted the oil leak on the shift shaft. Not sure where the oil came from. We also replaced the rubber washer in the oil passageway between the upper and lower unit.
At this poitn, btw, the lower unit was still full of oil. We'd never completely refilled the oil but since we were only installing a few things above the water pump we just left the oil in there.
After reattaching the lower unit again, I proceeded to fill the unit with gear lube. Removed the vent and drain screws, and shoved in a squeezable bottle of marine gear lube I'd picked up at an auto parts shop. And I squeezed. I don't know how much had come out of the 10oz squeeze tube, but suddenly, oil started pouring out the weephole!
Now, I haven't removed the lower unit again to inspect, but I wondered what I ought to do. Clearly I've got a leak somewhere, I'm just not sure where to look. Perhaps the oil seal on the shift shaft is bad. Wouldn't surprise me, I ran the boat for 5 minutes with a completely failed water impeller (unknowningly). I wasn't paying attention to the temp gauge, and we heated the einge so hot that even after 45 minutes of sitting in the water waiting, it was almost too hot to touch!
Recommendations, besides paying better attention to the temp gauge in the future?
Thanks.
Rick |
Bt Doctur
Advanced Member
Username: bt_doctur
Post Number: 254
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 12:01 am: |
|
shift shaft is a possability, drive shaft seal is another.What type of drive |
Rick Root
Member
Username: rickroot
Post Number: 6
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 12:44 am: |
|
what do you mean by "What type of drive?" Sorry... I thought "1985 mercruiser alpha one stern drive" sufficed... umm.. it's not generation II... standard rotation...
by drive shaft seal, do you mean the o-ring near the top of the drive shaft, or the oil seal in the water pump housing base, or the large o-ring below the water pump housing base, or something else? |
Guy Gaspar
Senior Member
Username: guyjg
Post Number: 1958
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 08:53 am: |
|
"...we heated the einge so hot that..."
"... we poured the gear lube oil back into cavity below the water pump..."
"...didn't really follow the instructions..."
Since the engine got very hot, how hot do you think the water impeller housing got? Did you replace both halves of the water pump? There is a major seal on the bottom half.
Installing oil is the last part of the job; from the drain hole.
Following directions; enough said. START OVER. |
Bt Doctur
Advanced Member
Username: bt_doctur
Post Number: 259
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 11:13 am: |
|
Drive shaft seal is in the upper unit where the driveshaft from the lower goes in. |
Rick Root
Member
Username: rickroot
Post Number: 7
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 01:37 pm: |
|
Yes, we replaced both parts of the water pump housing, top and bottom. I mentioned that we poured the oil back in before installing the water pump base.. that took forever but yes of course, I know you fill the oil from the bottom, so before we completed the work yesterday, that's what I was trying to do when I noticed the leak out the weephole, I was pumping oil into the bottom.
We're gonna take a look at this again tomorrow night, though I might take the lower unit off again today if I have time after cleaning out the garage! =) |
Rick Root
Member
Username: rickroot
Post Number: 10
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 08:25 am: |
|
Drive Shaft Seal... ie, numbers 13 (26-32511) and 14 (26-96503) in this diagram right? |
Troy
Advanced Member
Username: troym
Post Number: 491
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:56 am: |
|
Take a look at this drawing:
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_Pictures3.asp?dnbr=%2099964&ivar=images/CRUI SER/99964/30067.png&inbr=2203&bnbr=80&bdesc=DRIVESHAFT+HOUSING+AND+DRIVESHAFT
Look more like what you're working on? Use the links at the left to look at other sections of the outdrive.
The serial number of the outdrive would help narrow the search.
I'd recommend starting over with new gasket kits. Replace all the software, pressure test it, then refill with oil. Going after the shaft seal(s) in the upper unit is going to be something of a challenge if you don't have the bearing carrier wrench. Pay attention to where the shims are when it comes appart.
Also, are you using a pump to refill it... they cost about $10, and make the job a heck of a lot easier than squeezing the oil bottle. |
Troy
Advanced Member
Username: troym
Post Number: 492
Registered: 09-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:59 am: |
|
Almost forgot... there should be a high temperature alarm in there to let you know when it's overheating. It's usually wired in parallel with the low oil pressure alarm. I'd spend some time troubleshooting that as well. |
Rick Root
Member
Username: rickroot
Post Number: 15
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 09:53 pm: |
|
Good news. My suspicion of the water pump housing base being the incorrect part was correct. We took everything apart, put the OLD (original) water pump housing on along with new gaskets and stuff, put everything back together and filled it back up with gear lube, no problem.
Tried to start it (with the water running) but my battery was low, so I couldn't get it going (and I was too lazy to jump it). But she's back together and NOT leaking oil, so that's good.
I also installed a new tach and fuel gauge. |
|
|
|
Product Categories |
| Engine Parts · By Brand |
| Engine Manuals · By Brand |
| Books |
| General Repair and Maint. |
| Care and Repair |
| · Adhesive and Sealants |
| · Bottom Cleaners |
| · Cleaners Wax and Polish |
| · Mops Brushes and Sponges |
| Covers and Tops |
| · Bimini Tops · Hardware |
| · Cover Accessories |
| · Motor Covers |
| · Universal Boat Covers |
| Electronics |
| · Gauges and Compasses |
| · Mounts and Accessories |
| Electrical |
| · Batteries & Chargers |
| · Battery Accessories |
| · Dockside Electrical |
| · Electrical Terminals |
| · Electrical Wire, Cable |
| · Fuses, Fuse Holders |
| · Switches |
| · Wire Ties, Clips, Tape |
| Fuel Systems |
| · Fuel Tanks |
| · Fittings, Fills, Vents |
| · Hose & Primer Bulbs |
| · Filters, Senders, Caps |
| Hardware |
| · Deck Cabin Hardware |
| · Molding and Rub Rails |
| · Rails and Fittings |
| · Snaps Shackles and Hooks |
| · Windshield Hardware |
| Lighting |
| · Cabin Lights · Light Bulbs |
| · Navigation Light Parts |
| · Navigation Lights |
| · Spotlights · Parts |
| Mooring and Dock |
| · Boat Fenders · Boat Hooks |
| · Buoys and Markers |
| · Deck Cleats · Dock Edging |
| · Dock Parts and De-Icers |
| · Fender Covers and Holders |
| · Keelshield / Toon-Tectors |
| · Ladders and Platforms |
| Prop / Trim /
Transom |
| · Jack Plates, Wedges |
| · Mounting Brackets |
| · Outboard Stands |
| · Trim Tabs, Stablizers |
| · Prop Nuts, Locks, Pins |
| · Propellers · Wrenches |
| Pumps |
| · Aerator Pumps |
| · Bilge Pumps |
| · Drain Plugs and Tubes |
| · Hose · Through Hull Fittings |
| Rope and Cordage |
| · Anchor Line · Dock Line |
| · Fender Line · Bulk Rope |
| · Shock Cord and Bungee |
| Safety Products |
| · Horns Bells and Whistles |
| · Mirrors |
| · Vents Blowers and Hose |
| Sanitation |
| · Fresh Water Pumps |
| · Marine Toilets |
| · Sanitation Chemicals |
| · Sanitation Pumps/Hose |
| · Water/Waste System Parts |
| Seating |
| · Deck Chairs and Tables |
| · Fishing Seats |
| · Lounge Seats |
| · Pontoon Furniture |
| · Seat Bases and Pedestals |
| Steering / Control |
| · Control
Boxes |
| · Control
Cables |
| · Hydraulic
Steering |
| · Mechanical
Steering |
| · Rigging · Steering
Wheels |
| Tools / Shop Supplies |
| · Lubricants & Additives |
| · Motor Flushers |
| · Tools & Test Equipment |
| Trailering |
| · Boat Guides/Motor Support |
| · Hitches Balls Couplers |
| · Rollers Brackets Springs |
| · Tires Wheels and Carriers |
| · Trailer Hubs & Bearings |
| · Trailer Jacks |
| · Trailer Wiring and Lighting |
| · Winches Straps Tie Downs |
| Manufacturer List |
|
