gasket on drive oil drain?? metal shavings?

[oceanbarrel]

My alpha one outdrive has a gasket on the gear oil drain on the bottom of the outdrive, we just drained the oil on another one and it doesnt have a gasket, he thinks it will be okay without one I think it needs to be there, who is right, he said its never had one. Also how much metl shavings on the drain plug is too much? His has quite a bit of really fine metal, ive only ever worked on mine before and it usually has next to none?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: gasket on drive oil drain?? metal shavings?

check again ,it should have the sealing washer. Look at the drain plug, if flush or just slightly recessed, it has a washer.If recessed 3/32 -1/8 inch ,its missing the washer and the gear oil can leak out 1 drop at a time.

 

[Juniinc]

Re: gasket on drive oil drain?? metal shavings?

many times it gets stuck to the screw.
If it didn't, he is lucky he still got some oil.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: gasket on drive oil drain?? metal shavings?

My alpha one outdrive has a gasket on the gear oil drain on the bottom of the outdrive, we just drained the oil on another one and it doesnt have a gasket, he thinks it will be okay without one I think it needs to be there, who is right, he said its never had one. Also how much metl shavings on the drain plug is too much? His has quite a bit of really fine metal, ive only ever worked on mine before and it usually has next to none?

Mercruiser never shipped out an Alpha without a gasket on the drain plug...at least knowingly!

Check the outdrive...it may still be there. If not, do not replace the plug without one.

As for the metal shavings, there isn't any way for us to say one way or another without seeing just how much you are looking at. Some shavings are considered to be normal. But...if there was any signs of water when you pulled the plug, then all bets are off.

If there wasn't any obvious signs of water...and this were mine...I would refill the drive, use a gasket on the plug, and go boating!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: gasket on drive oil drain?? metal shavings?

The gaskets are also bad for sticking in the drain hole and not coming out with the drain plug.A very small flat screwdriver peels them out.
Stop buy any dealer and pick up the blue ones....about 90 cents each.

Very fine shavings on the magnet drain plug is fairly normal.