Big problem? Little problem?

[viper1]

Been getting the boat i bought ready for Erie. It's a 1993 starcraft 19.1 holiday, 4 cyc. Alpha one out drive. Nice boat. Butttttt I have a leak. I'm a was a car mechanic for 20+ years. But don't know squat about out drives. Bought the SELOC stern drive book and don't look to complicated. If you know what you got. Started making a pressure gauge but no use if it's dripping all ready. It has two small maybe 5/16 or 3/8 holes looks like in the lower half above the cavecation plate I believe. The flat plate running down both sides of the out-drive.The oil is leaking there and running down the plate and dripping. Not much as all winter it has maybe a 3-4 inch circle. Its a real sticky thicker oil kind of black and on a white paper its translucent.
Wondering where that leak would be from? Also how or what will it take to fix.Or what do I do to find out? Thanks for any help you can be.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Ayuh,... I can't think of any holes that big on an Alpha, Gen.II...
There's some tiny weep holes, maybe 1/8"...

I'd yank the drive off, 'n have a closer look, for Exactly where/ which seal is leakin'...
Drain it, 'n pressure it to 'bout 10psi, 'n soap will point ya to Where it's leakin'...

 

[Don S]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Post some pictures.

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?



Ok The one on the left is probably 4-6 months of accumulation.But we are docking this year. And I assume that oil out of any amount means water in. The pick on the right is the holes I'm talking about and believe it could be weep holes. I can take apart and look but not sure where or what to look for. Also what are weep holes for any way? Is there any certain gaskets or oil rings or seals that would put oil to this location?

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

It seems to be in the lower half but after looking at some diagrams seems it could be from either half.

 

[Don S]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

That is a drain hole, and there should be one on the other side, but they normally aren't but an 1/8" hole, not that big.

Best thing you can do at this point is remove the drive, drain the gear lube, and pressure test the drive and using a spray bottle of soapy water, spray everything and look for bubbles.

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Well I don't totally understand i guess. what dos a weep or drain hole drain? And do you pull the whole out drive or can I just pull lower half? If you mean pull whole thing how will I see whats leaking inside. I would think if i pull the lower unit only it wouldn't hold pressure. Sorry if this sounds like stupidity but I want to be positive of what I'm doing. Also the whole out drive sounds like quite a job. LOL Can one person even hold the whole thing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Also what are weep holes for any way?

Ayuh,... The Biggest part of the drive, inside, is the exhaust cavity, which is Wet on both sides...

It's gotta be able to Drain, so's it don't Freeze, 'n Bust...

Also the whole out drive sounds like quite a job. LOL Can one person even hold the whole thing.

It's 6 nuts, 'n the pins on the trim rams,... 10 minutes, tops...

It weighs 80/ 85lbs, plus the prop....
Jack yer trailer, so's the skeg is just touchin', 'n rock it off...
Ya can balance it, insteada liftin' it...

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

OK so I get it off and put 10-15 lbs pressure right? Won't the oil just come from the weep holes still? Also before pulling do I drain the drive?

 

[Don S]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Best thing you can do at this point is remove the drive, drain the gear lube, and pressure test the drive and using a spray bottle of soapy water, spray everything and look for bubbles.

You drain the drive first, you can not pressure test it with oil in it.

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

But the oil is leaking inside right? If its comming from weep holes.

 

[Don S]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

It's leaking inside the exhaust cavity someplace. That's how it gets to that hole. Once you get the drive off, stick a wire in that hole from the outside, and see where it comes out,

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Ok going to drain now. I will remove the hyd. links and loosen the bolts. think i'll wait on help to remove as I can't lift much because of weight. 5 bad discs in the back makes you feel helpless at times like this. LOL Was hoping on just pulling lower half. While i'm in there if i have to pull whole thing may be good to check pump, gimbals and impeller too. Just bought the boat so I do not know when the last inside was done other then his word. Any one can give me a hand on what all I should check chime right in. I am determined to learn these and do my own maintenance. Around here it's hard to get a trustful boat mechanic too.

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Well ready to pull. Drained the oil and it has water. It was thick and gray. Sure didn't seem like much coming out either. So whats the verdict? Fix the leak or get a impeller and change all the seals and gaskets. He had said he had it done last year but i have doubts now. What would you all do?

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

OK! Pulled trim cyl. Drained oil. Disconnected speed cable. Removed 6 Nuts holding out drive. Raised and dropped a few times with no luck Finally had to pry apart. Now the problem. It came a part about 5/8 inch but no farther. Pried wiggled and every thing else. Seems some thing towards the top is holding it. Now this is my first time but seems to me the only thing could cause this would be corrosion on the drive connection. The case moves freely just won't come farther apart. Don't want to screw the cases up by prying harder. So at this point any one have an idea. Or know the problem? I'm sure this is nothing new and there is a way.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Now the problem. It came a part about 5/8 inch but no farther. Pried wiggled and every thing else. Seems some thing towards the top is holding it. Now this is my first time but seems to me the only thing could cause this would be corrosion on the drive connection. The case moves freely just won't come farther apart. Don't want to screw the cases up by prying harder. So at this point any one have an idea. Or know the problem? I'm sure this is nothing new and there is a way.

Ayuh,.... Push it back on, put a nut back on, 'n shift the controller to Forward...

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Well put it in forward before I pulled it and lever is still forward.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Well put it in forward before I pulled it and lever is still forward.

Ayuh,... With the Alpha series of drives, ya ALWAYS put EVERYTHING in Forward...

Pullin' 'em apart, 'n puttin' 'em back together,.... Always in Forward...

A bungee strap 'round the propshaft, holds it in Forward during the reassembly...

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Ok went out pushed it together screwed a nut on and went forward pulled in back to center position then back forward and tried again. Same thing. The case is lose but at the top there is something not pulling out. Figure must be drive shaft. Ever see this happen and what do i do next?

 

[viper1]

Re: Big problem? Little problem?

Ayuh,... With the Alpha series of drives, ya ALWAYS put EVERYTHING in Forward...

Pullin' 'em apart, 'n puttin' 'em back together,.... Always in Forward...

A bungee strap 'round the propshaft, holds it in Forward during the reassembly...

What else but the throttle forward is there? Also if I spin the probe clock wise there is a click and it dont go in reverse. Does this sound right.