3.0 alpha one

[BeeEl]

New and still learning so please bear with me. I put a new lower unit on and filled with gear oil. I noticed i have ear oil in the bilge and I haven't even had it out yet. Must be some sort of seal on the input shaft of the outdrive? That's a guess. I have not removed the outdrive yet. That will be next. I did receive a gasket/seal kit when i purchased the lower unit. I am hoping the faulty seal will be in that kit. I will admit I am a bit nervous about the outdrive removal. I sure don't wanna disrupt any seals around the transom that are currently good. Any thoughts?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

. I put a new lower unit on and filled with gear oil

. New units never leak. How much oil did you put in from the bottom?

 

[smassey22180]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

You may have a bad seal at the input of the upper unit. You replaced your lower unit and pumped it full of oil which also fills the upper unit right? Pull the outdrive and pressure test it all together.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

New and still learning so please bear with me. I put a new lower unit on and filled with gear oil. I noticed i have ear oil in the bilge and I haven't even had it out yet. Must be some sort of seal on the input shaft of the outdrive? That's a guess. I have not removed the outdrive yet. That will be next. I did receive a gasket/seal kit when i purchased the lower unit. I am hoping the faulty seal will be in that kit. I will admit I am a bit nervous about the outdrive removal. I sure don't wanna disrupt any seals around the transom that are currently good. Any thoughts?

Ayuh,.... Got a year or other ID for this Alpha,..??

How 'bout some History on how things got to where it's at,..??

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

I filled from the bottom til it ran out the vent with no air bubbles. I dont have alot of history. I got this boat and it had a crack in the lower unit so i replaced it. Been workin a lil bit on the motor and finally got around to the outdrive.

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

This is a '95 3.0LX with GenII Alpha One.
So if it turns out to be a seal, is this something pretty easily replaced? Is it going to require special tools? I didnt want to take it off only to find that I dont have the stuff to change the seals. Only to have to turn around and put it back on and take it somewhere. Thank you in advance.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Do you have an oil reservoir in the engine compartment? If so, look there first. It would take quite a bit of oil from the drive to fill the drive bellows to the point of leaking gear oil into the bilge through the gimbal bearing, but it has happened. Pulling the drive is relatively easy and will answer that question immediately. (just pulled my drive this weekend for routine PM work...took a whole five minutes, and most of that was gathering the tools.).

Yes...you will need "special tools" if you do indeed need to replace the yoke seal. A spanner to remove/install/torque the retainer (castle) nut, and the right torque wrench(es) and/or torque indicator to set your pinion nut torque. May also need to replace (or install speedy-sleeve) the yoke shaft depending on the cause of the seal leak, if there even is a leak there.

I would drain the oil, pull the drive, pressure test...then let us know the results and go from there (that is, after you answer the question about the oil reservoir, if you have one)

You need to have a service manual (a "good" one) to guide you through this. The forum is great, but most, if not all, of what you need to do is spelled out in the pages of the manual.

 

[Moose truck]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

You need to have a service manual (a "good" one) to guide you through this. The forum is great, but most, if not all, of what you need to do is spelled out in the pages of the manual.

Go to the "Adults only section" at the top of this forum, and dig up the link to service manuals, Boatinfo - The library, containing manuals, brochures and other technical documents from the last hundred years!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

I do have a service manual, but I thought it'd be best to check with you guys on here first. Kind of the real world experience I guess. My unit used to have an oil reservoir. I intend to replace it with another one, but the previous owner removed it for whatever reason and simply plugged the line. That was the first place I checked but there was nothing coming out of that line. Not even back where it screws into the transom (I guess that is what it screws into). Which leads me to a couple more questions. When I take the drive off, will that hose come off with it? And if not, I assume I have to plug the port on the drive in order to do pressure test? Is there a coupler between the drive and that hose? Could that be the leak? I guess I'll find this all out when I pull the drive, hopefully tonight but probably tomorrow. Thanks again, I'll get there eventually.......

 

[alorio1]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

The outdrive can be taken to the mechanic for him to pressure test it and fix, you don't have to take the whole boat to him. The labor cost will be less if you pull and reinstall the outdrive your self.

This is a '95 3.0LX with GenII Alpha One.
So if it turns out to be a seal, is this something pretty easily replaced? Is it going to require special tools? I didnt want to take it off only to find that I dont have the stuff to change the seals. Only to have to turn around and put it back on and take it somewhere. Thank you in advance.

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Starting to really like that idea....

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Ok so I called local marine shop (the only one). "We don't do I/O". So looks like it's me and you (all)! I plan to get started within the next day or so. I've been reading through everything I can get my hands on first before I start. This thread will probably end up being very long since I will have so many questions, but I figure I better ask them. Stay tuned...

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

we got yer back, shipmate!

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Well, I got the drive off. Found quite a bit of water and gear oil in the bellows (I think that's what it's called-I'm still learning the terminology). I marked the bearing retainer and removed it. Pulled out the driveshaft(s). Yep the spring was broken on the back side of the oil seal. I will be getting a new one and clean up the shaft too. When I pulled off the drive gear, it came of with two sets of bearings with a spacer in between. Both sets of bearings were stuck. This means the cup was probably spinning in the housing. The housing looks totally unharmed. I was able to soak and free up both sets of bearings. They still have just a little catch, but will almost free spin. I'm still working on them. The gears look great though. Questions for now:
Is it normal for that drive gear to be mated to those bearings and spacer or should I try to separate them?
Is it normal for those bearings to have some issues?
I am pretty worried about the guts of the transom simply due to the water etc that was in the bellows. Maybe that water went in when I removed the drive. There was definitely some water that drained out when I separated it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Well, I got the drive off. Found quite a bit of water and gear oil in the bellows (I think that's what it's called-I'm still learning the terminology). I marked the bearing retainer and removed it. Pulled out the driveshaft(s). Yep the spring was broken on the back side of the oil seal. I will be getting a new one and clean up the shaft too. When I pulled off the drive gear, it came of with two sets of bearings with a spacer in between. Both sets of bearings were stuck. This means the cup was probably spinning in the housing. The housing looks totally unharmed. I was able to soak and free up both sets of bearings. They still have just a little catch, but will almost free spin. I'm still working on them. The gears look great though. Questions for now:
Is it normal for that drive gear to be mated to those bearings and spacer or should I try to separate them?
Is it normal for those bearings to have some issues?
I am pretty worried about the guts of the transom simply due to the water etc that was in the bellows. Maybe that water went in when I removed the drive. There was definitely some water that drained out when I separated it.

Thanks in advance

Nope,.... It's Not normal, yer bearin's are junk, because of the water intrusion,...

The Bearin's have to be butter Smooth,... Yer's are no doubt rust pitted, replacin' 'em is the only answer to Fixin' it,...

I believe you'll find that's a pressed assembly,...

What "Guts" are ya talkin' 'bout,... The bellows are supposed to be Dry, you've got a Leak, somewhere,...
'n That's why yer bearin's are shot,...
That seal with the broken spring, only holds oil, In,... Not water, Out,...

 

[mercs4mark]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

While you are apart replace the u joints and gimbal bearing

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

The guts I am talking about are all that "stuff" that is still mounted in the boat between the outdrive studs and the flexplate. Looks scary up in there! I was pretty sure there shouldn't be any water in there, but when you don't know where seals are supposed to be holding water out, what do ya do? So normally is that gonna be a gasket issue? I just wish I knew what everything is SUPPOSED to look like and its function - then I would know where my problems lie.
The u-joints look yucky but they feel absolutely perfect! Change em anyway?
I am 99.99% sure there is no way I can change that gimbal. After reading the horror stories, I'd rather just sell the boat. Sounds like I'd just tear up more stuff in the process. So any guesses where the water would be coming from?
I am sure I should change out the drive/driven gear as a pair. Pretty sure the driven gear is pressed on too. If I change them, the lash will have to be set again, will it not?
Thanks again. Getting more and more discouraged by the day...

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

The guts I am talking about are all that "stuff" that is still mounted in the boat between the outdrive studs and the flexplate. Looks scary up in there! I was pretty sure there shouldn't be any water in there, but when you don't know where seals are supposed to be holding water out, what do ya do? So normally is that gonna be a gasket issue? I just wish I knew what everything is SUPPOSED to look like and its function - then I would know where my problems lie.
The u-joints look yucky but they feel absolutely perfect! Change em anyway?
I am 99.99% sure there is no way I can change that gimbal. After reading the horror stories, I'd rather just sell the boat. Sounds like I'd just tear up more stuff in the process. So any guesses where the water would be coming from?
I am sure I should change out the drive/driven gear as a pair. Pretty sure the driven gear is pressed on too. If I change them, the lash will have to be set again, will it not?
Thanks again. Getting more and more discouraged by the day...

Ayuh,..... A New SEI upper from iboats is Cheaper than the parts to fix yer's,....

'n yer lackin' not only the specialized tools, but All the knowledge,...

Up in Don'S Adults Only section, at the top of this forum, you'll find months of readin', with pictures, 'n some videos, explainin' ALL this "Stuff",...

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Along with the recommendation to replace the waterlogged drive with an SEI unit, you will need to get up into the "guts" of the drive bellows and find the source of the water intrusion. You'll need to get your hands dirty (I cant ever seem to get my fingernails clean anymore!). Feel around inside of the accordian shaped bellows with your fingertips and see if there is any rot, holes, cracks, etc. Then use your fingers to get inside and turn the gimbal bearing....And since you've had water in the bellows, I would bet it is as rough (or rougher) than your O/D bearings and will need to be replaced along with your U-joints.
Have you got photos of what you are looking at so far? That helps us alot.
It is hard not to get discouraged, but unfortunately if boats like these (I/O) are not properly cared for and periodically (ie, annually or more often) maintained, then these things are the result. And unfortunately in alot of cases, it was the previous owners issues that the next guy inherits (most times unknowingly). Hopefully you dont already have alot of $$ in it already. Best of luck....