Re: Looking for a used i/o boat, which outdrives should I avoid? Which should I look
Should I inspect and replace if needed or just replace the bellows and impeller any way? I don't believe the boat was used last year and was only used for a few hours the year before before being winterized. When I take the drive off the inspect the bellows what else should I look at and/or replace? What kind of grease should I use? Will marine grease be fine?
I believe the trim sending unit is bad, where can I find another one? What special tools will I need to do these jobs if any? I have two large Mercury Marine service manuals that came with the boat. Volume 1 and Volume II.
Two of the hoses (to the exhaust manifolds) on the engine are hard and should be replaced. Where is a good place to get those?
At what point should the anode be replaced?
How long should the drive hold a vacuum and pressure when I test the drive for leaks?
Does the alpha 1 require special tools to replace the seals? I did the upper and lower seals on a few OMC drives. I was able to use exhaust tube adapters to get the seals in.
Check the bellows, if you see dry rot or cracks/holes then replace. The impeller should be replaces every 2 years just as a precaution whether used or not. They are cheap easy to replace and can cause such problems when they go it's just better to replace every 2 years and be safe. The trim sending units go bad all the time. even if you fix them (you don't really need them) they won't stay accurate for long. Just don't trim your engines way up when running.
If you are talking about the small water hoses going into the bottom of the mainfolds then, yes, replace. If you're talking about the big ones coming out of the top of them (exhaust) those are supposed to be hard and can last for decades. Usually only need to be replaced if they are leaking.
Here is a real useful link which should cover most of your other questions. (tools, manuals, tests, video's etc.)
http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...cellaneous-mercruiser-information-329915.html
If the oil in the drive is not milky (no water contamination) then a 10-15 minute pressure test while you apply soapy water on the drive looking for leaks should be fine. If is is milky then longer until you find the leak. Remember to replace the drain and fill hole gaskets with every oil change as they can leak in water if you don't and pressure test after you have changed them not before. Also change the oil level check gasket (same as the fill and drain) on the very top of the drive if your alpha has one. Most parts you can get here:
New and Used Boats, Boat Covers, Boat Parts, Propellers, Accessories from iboats.com
anodes should be replaced at the beginning of each season. Salt water eats them much faster than fresh but still, cheap parts, once a year and be safe. Some will say only after they have degraded 50% but up to you.
Again congrats! thats a great boat!
