Alpha 1 Gen 2. Water leak and gear lube oil leak

[gbarbosa1982]

- Mercruiser Alpha I gen II - (serial number: 2A123148)


#1:
Noise coming out of the bearing so I decided to replace it. I pulled out the outdrive and found everything corroded due to a water leak (picture: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ug7x8dydactv1cm/bad bearing.png?dl=0 ).
I inspected the bellows but could not find where the water was coming in. I thought the water was coming in because the outdrive was not tighten properly.

The bearing was replaced and everything was put back together.


#2:
Tested and noise is gone with the new bearing. Nonetheless I noticed that the gear lube level was going down fast and accumulating at the end of the bilge (picture: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9zxkfjt2ez8yud5/gear lube leak.png?dl=0 ).


#3:
I decided to pull out the outdrive again to inspect the yoke and possible replace the upper seals, but I found more then lube oil on the bellows, water (pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jrv7ton417uhu04/oil and water.png?dl=0 ).

QUESTIONS:
A) Any idea where the water is coming from?

B) Reading other topics on this forum, I thought that the gear lube in the bilge was the result of a leak on the upper unit (yoke) and replace the seals could be a solution to my problem. By looking at the pictures from inside the bilge, would be accurate to assume that the leak is in fact from the upper unit?

C) In other words, where should I start to have both issues fixed (Water coming in and leak of gear lube)?

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you,

 

[Rick Stephens]

Water in the u-jiont typically comes from u-joint bellows, water passage o-ring out of whack, or shift shaft bushing seal. Water in the u-joint bellows will destroy the top seal in the upper gear case. It leaking is probably not a coincidence.

 

[bspeth]

I think you are looking at a bellows job. Go for a new shift cable if you are already there.Have a good look at your Ujoints they looked pretty bad. Check your yoke and reseal that upper. Let us know whats up

 

[gbarbosa1982]

I pressured test the unit and air passes with absolutely no resistance from the shaft. So, the the gear lube leak is identified.

I have minimum to no time to enjoy the boat and have been using my weekends to work on it. So, I decided to check how much it would cost for having someone fixing it for me.

According to the mechanic, which already looked at the boar, recommended the following jobs:
- Below job (makes sense since there is also a water leak).
- Fix the gear lube leak by change the seals and the "yoke" (I am not sure if the yoke needs to be changed, but he is pushing to do it - $580 just the yoke).
- Change shift cable (this I was not expecting at all. I cannot not see why).

Still waiting for the quote for all the services above.

Keep you all posted.

Thank you,

 

[Bondo]

According to the mechanic, which already looked at the boar, recommended the following jobs:
- Below job (makes sense since there is also a water leak).
- Fix the gear lube leak by change the seals and the "yoke" (I am not sure if the yoke needs to be changed, but he is pushing to do it - $580 just the yoke).
- Change shift cable (this I was not expecting at all. I cannot not see why).

Ayuh,.... It's alota labor to do this job, so I replace All the bellows, the shift cable, 'n the trim sender, 'n switch,....

If ya don't wanta buy a new yoke, you can use a speedy-sleeve on it,... SKF part # 99225 is the speedy-sleeve,....
The yoke rusts under the seal, causin' the seal to fail,...

This job, includin' the shift cable is something done every 5 to 8 years of service,....
If ya don't change all these parts, you'll be payin' the labor bill again when the rest of the parts fail,...

Sounds like you found a Good, pro-active Mechanic,.....

 

[Fun Times]

$580 just the yoke).

What's he charging for the parts. The below info is a guide to help you know if he's way over charging you on parts. The labor is about an 2 - 3 hour job to R & R the yoke. His labor rate is?

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selectSerailRange.asp?doc_nbr=ALPHA+ONE+(GEN.II)++++1998+AND+UP

853635	YOKE-U JOINT		$149.83	$135.08	$0.00	$0.00	1.94 Lbs

Number Description Superceded
From List
Price Online
Price Core
Chg Cont
Chg Ship
Weight
Each Order
Quan

864282T	YOKE-SHORT		$127.25	$114.72	$0.00	$0.00	2.41 Lbs

Part Number Description Superceded
From List
Price Online
Price Core
Chg Cont
Chg Ship
Weight
Each Order
Quan

10	853635	1	YOKE, Gear End	(Gray) Meritor Assembly
10	864282T	1	YOKE, Gear End	(Black) GKN Assembly

 

[Rick Stephens]

What's he charging for the parts. The below info is a guide to help you know if he's way over charging you on parts. The labor is about an 2 - 3 hour job to R & R the yoke. His labor rate is?

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selectSerailRange.asp?doc_nbr=ALPHA+ONE+(GEN.II)++++1998+AND+UP

853635	YOKE-U JOINT		$149.83	$135.08	$0.00	$0.00	1.94 Lbs

Number Description Superceded
From List
Price Online
Price Core
Chg Cont
Chg Ship
Weight
Each Order
Quan

864282T	YOKE-SHORT		$127.25	$114.72	$0.00	$0.00	2.41 Lbs

Part Number Description Superceded
From List
Price Online
Price Core
Chg Cont
Chg Ship
Weight
Each Order
Quan

10	853635	1	YOKE, Gear End	(Gray) Meritor Assembly
10	864282T	1	YOKE, Gear End	(Black) GKN Assembly

Great answer. Love the precision.

 

[flipbro]

Tell the mechanic to pound salt!! Save yourself some cash.order all the parts and do it yourself over winter. And if you don't care if parts are OEM a new yoke can cost as little as 60 bucks. I run one behind a 5.7 and no problems.. But I do agree with doing it all while its apart

 

[Pocket Change]

Never heard of replacing only one seal in an outdrive if it's leaking. You reseal the entire drive and do the water pump also. If there is water in the bellows it's leaking even if you can't find it. And you replace the shift cable during a bellows job because you have to remove it to do the shift cable bellows. I get 6 years out of the bellows on my boat and wouldn't think of doing half a job while everything is apart.