alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

[wildtrak]

just replaced water pump in my alpha one drive.. replaced gear oil... now i have gear oil leaking from what seems the exhaust water via prop.. oil is getting into the exhaust water ..only started up and run on with earmuffs supplying the water.. not been in water as of yet. now to the horrible truth. .. when reinstalling the lower drive the shift didn't quite couple up and got jammed.. released pressure on lower half and guided the shift shaft into place then re bolted up do you think this may have damaged some seal hence causing the leak. although the leak isn't from the shift shaft..
all input would be appreciated before i dismantle. i know i have to but would be nice to know where to look..
when i run before i noticed leak it went into gear well and run good.. no strange noises.. lets hope i haven't done too much damage..

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

Did you put the new quad ring between the upper and lower that seals the oil passage?
If you did, drain the gear lube and do a pressure check. That should be done anytime you work on the drive, prior to putting the new gear lube in.

 

[wildtrak]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

put the new small o ring in between the upper and lower in the oil passage.. didn't think it was a quad seal though , are there 2 , please excuse my ignorance, never done this before. is this passage the only place that gear oil can get into the exhaust and water passage?

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

I know when I replaced mine, the upper oil seal failed when I pulled the lower off. My Alpha still had the o-ring at the top of the drive shaft, and when I seperated them, it "snagged" and took the seal with it. When I re-assembled, I took the advice of A-Chris and did NOT replace(the o-ring) it...

 

[dubs283]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

is this passage the only place that gear oil can get into the exhaust and water passage?

no, the quad ring was mentioned because it is a commonly overlooked item

did you drain the lube and pressure test??

this is the ONLY way you will find which seal(s) is leaking

 

[wildtrak]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

not pressure tested yet, will do when i return from work away..
if i pressure tested the drive how can i tell which seal.. all it will show is that there is a leak, not from where.. am i right?
i have means here in my workshop to pressurize the drive, what sort of pressure are we talking about?
do you think it would be wise just to dismantle replace all seals, and then do a pressure test before i fill will oil..
is it much of a job to replace the shift shaft seal.. an updated design i believe, i do have that.
thanks for the help guys.

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

You can probably hear it, but if you use some soapy water and spray inside the exhaust passages from the front of the drive, the leak will blow bubbles.
You do have to have the drive off the boat and drained to do this.

 

[wildtrak]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

is the quad seal the only place where oil can leak into the water outlet via prop

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

Nope, that is why you do the pressure test.

 

[wildtrak]

Re: alpha one gen 1 gear oil leak

thanks don s will do as advised..