3.0 alpha one

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

The book says to be sure the "rubber seal is glued in place" upon reassembly or water could leak in boat. When I pulled my drive off, the rubber seal and a metal cone looking device come out with the drive. This tells me it wasn't glued into the housing anywhere. Should it be? better yet, can someone help me out on how and where exactly this thing goes.

Thank you

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Piece Number 16 (sleeve) on here:
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...3834.png&inbr=1017&bnbr=50&bdesc=Bell+Housing
(exploded drawing of the genII bell housing...if this page does not load, you can find it elsewhere on the net - your service manual will show this sleeve/ring location also).
Should not have come out....needs to go back into the end of the bellows.

Yes...rubber ring needs to be glued in place in the bell housing (up against the sleeve) with bellows adhesive prior to installing the drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Piece Number 16 (sleeve) on here:
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...3834.png&inbr=1017&bnbr=50&bdesc=Bell+Housing
(exploded drawing of the genII bell housing...if this page does not load, you can find it elsewhere on the net - your service manual will show this sleeve/ring location also).
Should not have come out....needs to go back into the end of the bellows.

Yes...rubber ring needs to be glued in place in the bell housing (up against the sleeve) with bellows adhesive prior to installing the drive.

Ayuh,.... DonS taught me a slick trick for installin' that lockin' ring,....

When ya get everything cleaned up, 'n ready,...
Ya give the end of the bellows, where it goes, a good shot of Quicksilver Power Tune, 'n the ring almost falls into place with the push of yer fingers,...
No driver tool needed, other than a can of Power Tune,...

It makes the rubber slicker'n snot, then dissipates in a few seconds, lockin' the ring in-place,......

I always used a big wad of plain ole Grease to hold the big rubber ring in place,...

Don always recommended bellows cement,...

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Without knowing exactly where this thing went (since it fell out upon drive removal), is it possible that this is why I had water in my bellows?
Since I found the gear lube leak (bad oil seal), I am still trying to locate the water intrusion point. There wasn't a ton of water but there was some for sure. I've checked the condition of the bellows and they look good. This rubber seal that fell out has a ton of small cracks all the way around it.

Thanks again, this place is great!

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Also, since I haven't done this before, it sounds like I should use a substance that is slick for lube then dissipate preferably to something sticky?
If so, has anyone tried (don't laugh) hairspray? I've used it for years on numerous things in situations just like this. It really works great, but again I don't know exactly what the end goal is here.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

See post #23 (powertune)

 

[magic11305]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Sounds like the rubber seal you are taking about is the on that goes into the gimble housing before sliding drive shaft in. On alpha ones, it come with the drive gasket kit that also has an O ring for the water inlet and the gasket to mount the drive. Also if you are not using the oil reservoir I would dissconect it from the drive and screw in the plug that is amde for that, just to prevent future possibility of water getting into in the drive unit. Just my 2 cents.....

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I have the rubber seal. I am simply trying to figure out the exact orientation of it for installation since it and the metal piece fell out. And if there a common adhesive I can use. Anything I need I have had to order since local shops have no interest in helping on I/O. If I order another special tube of stuff, I gotta wait another 3-5 days to receive it. Spline grease and 2-4-c should be here tomorrow. Fingers crossed....
In order for this rubber seal to have been the source of the water leak, wouldn't the main "paper gasket" have to been bad? Or the bellows somewhere. This seal looks terrible and the fact that it fell out probably means it wasn't sealing, but it appears that something else would have to have been bad to introduce water.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Water can get in between the paper gasket and the rubber ring through a bad shift shaft bushing seal. Take a close look at your bell housing and try and imagine where there is water (and where it is not supposed to be) during operation, and you can come up with scenarios. I can't (and don't) trust the paper gasket by itself to keep water out, either. How was your water passage O-ring? if it was knocked out of place, it could be a suspect, too.
Lucky for me, though...on my last drive removal, I found that I had totally cut the rubber ring in half during the install...(found the bottom half of it inside the drive bellows) luckily the paper gasket, water passage O-ring, and shift shaft bushing held and my bellows was dry after 50+ hours in the water.

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Are you talking about the shift shaft seal in the lower unit? If so, that unit is brand new. I know that doesn't mean it's good. However, it would be last on my list. My o-ring looks good. Doesn't appear to have leaked. In fact, it's still in there. What do you add to your gasket mating surface for insurance in sealing?

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Talking about the upper shift shaft that goes through a bushing/seal in the bell housing, just below where the drive enters the bell housing. Like I was saying...look at your bell housing (and drive bellows) and imagine where water could go if it could.
Paper gasket goes on dry.

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Oh I didn't think about that seal.
I thought you meant you didn't trust that gasket so you added something to it. I see.

Thank you

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

I got the upper unit assembled. Pressure tested. I had to use the plastic adapter to pressurize with. I put 11lbs in it and it still had 10 this morning. Probably seeping past that fitting. anyway, I do have a couple questions I have after reassembly. There are 2 oil seals that go in the housing for the driveshaft. They go with the lips facing each other, correct? I have never driven an oil seal in from the back like that, but it seemed to work fine. I hope that's right. I put all new seals in it. The kit had a couple o-rings left. I am hoping that is for the units with a different "coupler shaft". Mine has 3 o-rings. Anyway, the other question is concerning the preload on the drive gear bearings. My book says "tighten until the proper preload is obtained then tighten nut to 10 inch lbs." Can someone please clarify?
Also, back to the water in the bellows thing. I think you were right on, ktb. I think the upper shift shaft seal/bushing is bad. Here are some pics:

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Oops never mind on the preload question. I found the video.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

There are 2 oil seals that go in the housing for the driveshaft. They go with the lips facing each other, correct? I have never driven an oil seal in from the back like that, but it seemed to work fine. I hope that's right.

My book says "tighten until the proper preload is obtained then tighten nut to 10 inch lbs." Can someone please clarify?

As I recall, the top seal faces up (spring side up) and the bottom seal faces down (spring side down)....but I will defer to Chris for the sage guidance here (I dont have my book in front of me, but recall this is how it is pictured). This would seem to make logical sense in that the bottom seal will keep water from going up, and the top seal keeps oil from going down. So it sounds to me like you did it right.


All I have been doing for a pressure test is to go to 7 PSIG for about ten minutes, then go up to 14-15 PSIG for about ten minutes. (sometimes I walk away for an hour). I found that you need to do the 7 PSIG test first because putting it right up to the higher pressure could mask a leak that could exist at a lower pressure.

I also do a vacuum test to 7 inches hg for ten minutes. Not everyone thinks that is necessary... and if you go too high in vacuum, you could actually cause a seal to fail in the wrong direction.

What book are you using..... (hope it is the "right" brand) and what video did you watch (hope it was the achris video).

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Book is a seloc. I just got the one with the best reviews on amazon. After watching the video (achris), the book makes a lot more sense. Pretty sure I tightened the nut too tight and gotta put it back in the press. Do u see a smoking gun in my pics?
Thanks

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

And I still have six lbs. soapy bubbles confirm the plastic adapter is seeping.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Book is a seloc. I just got the one with the best reviews on amazon. After watching the video (achris), the book makes a lot more sense. Pretty sure I tightened the nut too tight and gotta put it back in the press. Do u see a smoking gun in my pics?
Thanks

Sorry...but you should have asked for reviews here instead of Amazon (did you know some of those reviews are alleged to be suspect.....and not as authentic as one would believe...some things you just have to take with a grain of salt.). SELOC and Clymer manuals are akin to disasterous. They make good knee pads when you are working in the shop and that's about it. They have reportedly caused more problems then they have solved, with misguidance and mis-information. You can get OEM manuals for your engine and your outdrive on here for free!!!! Just sayin'

If you redo the preload...just make sure you undo it correctly...you need to separate the bearings enought to get them loose from each other, then redo the (correct) preload (running torque) procedure.

Then you'll of course need to redo your pressure test.

 

[BeeEl]

Re: 3.0 alpha one

Unfortunately I had ordered the book before I found this fantastic place! I just used it to keep from printing this one off. I'll print it tomorrow.
The shift shaft seal appears to be good. I sprayed on top of it hoping to see some run down the shaft. It did not. Probably a good thing since the set screw won't budge without rounding the head. I don't want to replace the gimbal until I find the source of water. Would hate to ruin a new one. I'm at a loss as to how to find it.