Couple Quick Alpha I questions

[sguerrero]

"I have a Monterey 242 cruicer

"I have a Monterey 242 cruicer with a Merc 5.0 and an Alpha I Outdrive and am prepping it for a fall run down the Ohio, couple hours down and couple hours back. I am also taking this opportunity to do some of my Winterizing, changing the oil, changing the lower unit fluid, change the impeller; it has been almost two years since it was changed last(the impeller)...

Which brings me to my questions, I drained all my lower unit fluid, and while I was at the store buying new fluid I saw a pump to help add the fluid back, when I asked about it, the guy at the marina said it was so I could add the fluid from the bottom up, so there are no air pockets, I had always added it from the vent hole at the top. So, which is the proper way to add fluid to the lower unit? Also, I have had this boat for almost 2 years so I bought a replacement impeller, but when I went to change it, there is no sea water pump on the front of the motor, so am I missing something or is it in the lower unit or somewhere I am not looking? And finally, I thought I read somewhere that for boats with I/O's you shouldn't run them continuously for long periods of time, so what is the amount of time and why if this is true?

Thanks"

 

[hystat]

"bottom up always best - you g

"bottom up always best - you got good advice.

impeller is in the lower unit.

you can run an i/o continuously for 50 hours, then it should have an oil change.

There's no time limits."

 

[pugetsounder]

"Yes what he said. The pump sc

"Yes what he said. The pump screws into the the bottom hole and as you pump the oil in (exactly one quart) the air is pumped out the top hole. When full, plug the top hole so when you unscrew the pump all your oil doesn't drain out the bottom. It's kind of like when you hold your thumb over the top of a straw full of liquid. Make sure to get new gaskets for both oil plugs.

I think you could run a I/O longer than an outboard continuously without problems like gumming up spark plugs and carbs and the such. Of course newer outboards are way different now then when my boat was built 26 years ago. But I remember friends and family always tinkering with their outboards on long trips. A car motor was just made to run smoother and cooler and cleaner than a 2 stroke."

 

[rod_stewart]

"Sergio;
If you have been fil

"Sergio;
If you have been filling from the top of the drive, you are lucky that you have not cooked the upper gears and bearings.
The only way to assure that you have all the air pockets out is to pump from the bottom up.

Then after the first run or two, recheck the lube level thru the upper vent screw. Top up if necessary. The Alpha One's have no external lube oil level monitor, so it is important to check the level thru the vent screw occasionally.

Rod"

 

[bertg]

"Sergio Guerrero
To answer yo

"Sergio Guerrero
To answer your question about running time on an I/O, no more than a few seconds when it's out of the water or not on an alternative water supply. The lower impeller is subject to heat very quickly and will be damaged without water.
Bert"

 

[bill_k]

"correct me if I am wrong &#40

"correct me if I am wrong (anyone) when filling from the bottom and once the oil starts to come out of the vent tube, aren't you supposed to put the vent screw back in and keep pumping it to fill your reserve tank (if you have one) then once full stop.. This is the way I have always done it."

 

[bondo]

"[b]"correct me if I am wr

""correct me if I am wrong (anyone) when filling from the bottom and once the oil starts to come out of the vent tube, aren't you supposed to put the vent screw back in and keep pumping it to fill your reserve tank (if you have one) then once full stop.. This is the way I have always done it."

Ayuh,...

You obviosly have an Alpha 1, Gen.II....

The previous Alpha,+ Pre-Alpha drives have No reservoir...

"(exactly one quart)"

Actually,... It takes slightly Over a Quart...
I always buy 2...."

 

[rod_stewart]

"Bill;
For a drive with a mon

"Bill;
For a drive with a monitor (Gen II on) its best to fill to the vent line, then put in the vent plug, then give it 3 or 4 more pumps, then put in the drain plug, then top up the monitor reservoir to the full line through the cap on the reservoir.
But your way sounds just fine.

Rod"

 

[sguerrero]

"Thanks for all the info, I dr

"Thanks for all the info, I drained all the fluid, pumped from the bottom up and all is good. We had a great time this weekend, boat ran great. Now I guess it's time to winterize and start thinking about winter projects!!!"