merc alpha1 driveshaft seal leak

[Dukksoup]

Hi every one I have a 94 regal 4.3lx mercruiser alpha1, I'm losing all the gear lube from the resivior overnigt....Well I took the boat to the dealer , and they told me the drive shaft seal is leaking, for a total of $490.00 they can replace the seal but offer no warranty, unless I reseal the complete leg, with a complete gasket kit, upper kit, lower kit and impeller for $975.00. I'm looking for any suggestions on this as I really don't know if these prices are normal or over priced, I would think the best way is to reseal everything , since it has never been touched Thx to all who respond with opinions as I am still learning about all this Is the dealer takeing me for a ride on this one?? thx again

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: merc alpha1 driveshaft seal leak

If you do mean the driveshaft ,those seals come with the water pump base so a complete water pump kit should fix that.Has any type of service been done to the drive so far? boots, gimbal , shift cable , etc.?
If you mean leakage from the driveshaft seal in the upper unit,1 oil seal but the upper needs some disassembly to replace it.
The total does seem a bit high.

 

[Dukksoup]

Re: merc alpha1 driveshaft seal leak

If you do mean the driveshaft ,those seals come with the water pump base so a complete water pump kit should fix that.Has any type of service been done to the drive so far? boots, gimbal , shift cable , etc.?

Thx, I was told it is the driveshaft seal??, I was losing all my gear lube overnight in the bottom of the boat, the oil was coming from thru the transom, the boat is a 94 with very little hours, they never mentioned that anything wrong with gimble, boots etc, my concern was this price of $975.00 is this resonable? or am I getting bent over? thanx,,,,,

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: merc alpha1 driveshaft seal leak

"the oil was coming from thru the transom,"
as in the bilge out the transom drain?
Thats a carrier seal $16.00 USD plus maybe a yoke $80.00 USD

 

[Dukksoup]

Re: merc alpha1 driveshaft seal leak

"the oil was coming from thru the transom,"
as in the bilge out the transom drain?
Thats a carrier seal $16.00 USD plus maybe a yoke $80.00 USD

Prior to bringing the boat to the dealer I followed the hose from the gear lube container to a fitting which goes thru the transom , there were NO leaks up to that point at first I'd lose about 1/4 '' of oil over night, but when I ran the boat for the first time this year the gear oil container drains completely back into the boat? Are you familiar with the price for resealing the complete upper and lower leg, very curious if $ 1000.00 is to much, there shop rate is $125.00 per hour

 

[picklenjim]

Re: merc alpha1 driveshaft seal leak

I don't know if that labor is high for your area but all the shops around St.Louis,Missouri area are $89 an hour.Also something you might want to consider is a new drive.For $400 more you can get a brand new aftermarket drive on this site.That would be all new gears,bearings and shafts compared to just new seals.

 

[Dukksoup]

Re: merc alpha1 driveshaft seal leak

I'm in Edmonton Alberta Canada, that is the going rate here when it comes to marine dealers, that means to reseal everything is aprox. 8 hrs or so, just wasn't sure if this sounds like a bit much,the boat is a 94 model with about 70total hrs on it