Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

[MPII]

Greetings -

First thing First, Engine 4.3 Merc. LX 92, Alpha One, Gen II.

(Also for the Mods - I felt this was a different question which is why I started a new thread)

So, I ended up with a cracked lower unit on the Gen II. Got a quote from local marina in CBUS ohio. They believe only the lower unit was bad, that the upper "appears" to be fine. They want 2700 bucks to put a reman Mercruiser lower unit on.

Here's my fear = I believe that the upper shaft seal may be leaking which is how water got into the lower unit to begin with and may have caused freeze damage. They said they can't replace that seal without tearing down the upper unit and want another 900 for that. So, if they just replace the lower unit, I'll end up in the same position, i.e., getting water in the lower drive unit.

I was thinking, for the money, buying an SEII unit, Upper AND Lower for 1400 and calling it a day.

Is it true the upper seal cannot be replaced without tearing out the gears in the upper unit?

Can water leak through that seal and allow moisture to get into the lower unit?

Has anyone got any experience with the SEII drives?

 

[SeadawgVB]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

I just posted that same question about the seal on the upper. But that seal only holds back gear oil.
The space where the water pump resides is open to the air near the gear shift linkage at the front of outdrive near the upper / lower joint. There are also to weep holes there to help drainage. Those holes are probably where you will see your gear oil leaking from if you have the outdrive tirmmed up into trailer position.

 

[MPII]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

I just posted that same question about the seal on the upper. But that seal only holds back gear oil.
The space where the water pump resides is open to the air near the gear shift linkage at the front of outdrive near the upper / lower joint. There are also to weep holes there to help drainage. Those holes are probably where you will see your gear oil leaking from if you have the outdrive tirmmed up into trailer position.

I'm not leaking gear oil, water is getting into the gear oil. I thought it was a bad o-ring on the drain plug and/or vent plug, however, replaced both those and still got some water in it.

Thanks for your response, any other thoughts?

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

MPII,
I can't speak about your leak but can tell you, you will not be disappointed in the SEI products. They have great prices and a 3 year warranty. I bought an upper unit 3 years ago, it bolted right up and has been performing great since intallation.

Larry

 

[SeadawgVB]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Water can get into the gear oil from many locations. People smarter than me would recommend a pressure test to find the leak. If my lower was already toast and someone wanted to charge me $2700 for a remanufactured lower, I would definitely go with a new SEI that came with a warranty.

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

$900 to do the 2 bottom seals in the top box... Are you serious?!?!???!

There's 2 hours work there, tops! and about $15 worth of seals.

Drive off - 15 minutes.
Front drive gear and unis out - 10 minutes.
Top cover off - 5 minutes.
Lift shaft and gears out - 30 seconds.
Remove top housing from lower housing - Already done because he's fitting a 'reman' lower - 0 minutes.
Drive old seals out - 5 minutes. (takes time to pick the tools up off the bench :facepalm
Drive new seals in -10 minutes. (have to clean the seal surfaces in the housing)
Put shaft and driven gear back in - 45 seconds.
Screw top cover back on - 3 minutes.
Refit drive gear and uni to housing - 10 minutes.
Drive back on bell housing. - 20 minutes.
Time for coffee - 30 minutes.

Just saying... and if you have doubts about my timings... search for my videos on removing, installing and checking alignment....

Chris.......

 

[MPII]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Thanks! I think I'm going to go the route of buying the SEII whole unit for 1500 bucks, buy the bellows kit, and replace everything. I'm getting ripped off.

Thanks Man!

$900 to do the 2 bottom seals in the top box... Are you serious?!?!???!

There's 2 hours work there, tops! and about $15 worth of seals.

Drive off - 15 minutes.
Front drive gear and unis out - 10 minutes.
Top cover off - 5 minutes.
Lift shaft and gears out - 30 seconds.
Remove top housing from lower housing - Already done because he's fitting a 'reman' lower - 0 minutes.
Drive old seals out - 5 minutes. (takes time to pick the tools up off the bench :facepalm
Drive new seals in -10 minutes. (have to clean the seal surfaces in the housing)
Put shaft and driven gear back in - 45 seconds.
Screw top cover back on - 3 minutes.
Refit drive gear and uni to housing - 10 minutes.
Drive back on bell housing. - 20 minutes.
Time for coffee - 30 minutes.

Just saying... and if you have doubts about my timings... search for my videos on removing, installing and checking alignment....

Chris.......

 

[rick3452]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Chris, Wish you lived in Fort Lauderdale!!!

 

[MPII]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Sorry - One More Question, Then I'll leave all you alone!

Is there anything that can go bad in an upper unit of a stern drive that can cause water to get in the lower unit gear oil.

In other words, can you have a perfectly working lower unit and a problem with the upper unit that causes water to get into the lower?

OR

If there is water in the lower unit gear oil, the lower unit has a bad seal or whatever and that's likely the only problem.

My local marina is ripping me off and I don't trust them.

Here's the thing - Prior to the cracked lower unit I was getting water in the lower unit. I am confused as to if I need to replace just the lower unit or if there is something wrong also in the upper unit that would allow water to get in.

Sorry to keep droning on about this but I can't seem to get a clear answer from anyone.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

$900 to do the 2 bottom seals in the top box... Are you serious?!?!???!

There's 2 hours work there, tops! and about $15 worth of seals.

Drive off - 15 minutes.
Front drive gear and unis out - 10 minutes.
Top cover off - 5 minutes.
Lift shaft and gears out - 30 seconds.
Remove top housing from lower housing - Already done because he's fitting a 'reman' lower - 0 minutes.
Drive old seals out - 5 minutes. (takes time to pick the tools up off the bench :facepalm
Drive new seals in -10 minutes. (have to clean the seal surfaces in the housing)
Put shaft and driven gear back in - 45 seconds.
Screw top cover back on - 3 minutes.
Refit drive gear and uni to housing - 10 minutes.
Drive back on bell housing. - 20 minutes.
Time for coffee - 30 minutes.

Just saying... and if you have doubts about my timings... search for my videos on removing, installing and checking alignment....

Chris.......

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Water is heavier than oil, so it will sink to the bottom... There is a passage between the upper and lower, so any water entering the upper WILL get into the lower....

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

just go with the sei replacement. I've run a few of them and friends have run many. I've had one come apart (arguably my fault!), and the customer service warranty repair / replacement was straightforward and easy. imho...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

I've installed and used a couple of the Sterndrive Engineering units. They are a great product. As good as the outdrives are, the customer service is even better. Hands down, the best value around. I wouldn't buy a new lower and trust the old upper - not a big price difference - buy the complete unit and go boating!

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

MPII,
I had the same problem with water getting to my sterndrive oil and could not find out why! Finally I drained all the oil out of the upper & lower units and then filled them with water, behold, I had tiny pinholes in my upper unit that the 90w oil would not go through but water would enter and muck up my oil. That was why I bought my upper unit from SEI.

Just my $0.02 worth,

Larry

 

[Deese566]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Hey MPII , i've ordered an installed 12 gen 2 lowers ,3 alpha lowers ,an 2 complete gen 2 drives. I dont no much about their cust service or warrenty policies simply because i've never had any issues or problems with any of their drives. I understand they just came out with a bravo unit but i've never ordered one. Sterndrive engineering makes an awsome drive. You wont go wrong. Yes you can have a seal let go in the upper an let water in the drive. If the gears an brg's check out ok in the upper ,put a seal kit in it an order ya a SEI lower an you'll be set. And if your local marine tech says he'll reseal that upper unit for anything close to 900 , smack em an tell em to straighten up. Thats a sign that they have'nt done many of em.

 

[sam60]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Chris.......

Send us a link..!

 

[MPII]

Re: Mercruiser v. SEII Drives - Need Advice

Thanks so much for all the information. The gears in the upper unit are good. I'm gonna order the lower unit with a seal kit and rune with it. Thanks Again!