milky lower unit grease...need help.

[Jamz3333]

I noticed grease coming out of the weep hole on my alpha 1 gen 1. I changed the grease and ran it one time for a few hours. Checked the grease afterwards and it was milky. I just need to find out where to start looking for the bad seal. I guess that's what it would be right? Also how do I pressure test my out drive and check for leaks?

 

[achris]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

... how do I pressure test my out drive and check for leaks?

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=233546&p=1573330&viewfull=1#post1573330

First remove the drive... then using the set up in that thread, spray soapy water around and look for bubbles.

 

[Don S]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

You have to drain the gear lube before you do the pressure test.

 

[Jamz3333]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

Do I test the whole drive or upper and lower separately? Plus where do I spray it at? Never have tore into an outdrive before.

 

[Jamz3333]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

Also forgot to mention when I checked the bolts where the upper and lower go together the one on the starboard side was about a half a turn loose and the back one was the same way. Could a lot of water get in that way in just a few hours? I posted in a thread earlier that I noticed grease coming out of the weep hole on the starboard side if that helps

 

[Jamz3333]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

Also forgot to mention when I checked the bolts where the upper and lower go together the one on the starboard side was about a half a turn loose and the back one was the same way. Could a lot of water get in that way in just a few hours? I posted in a thread earlier that I noticed grease coming out of the weep hole on the starboard side if that helps

Could the grease coming out be caused by the small ring? I noticed it was smashed down pretty good. Please help.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

Its really almost impossible to say with someone doing a pressure test. That should help you pin point the problem and ensure its fixed properly.

 

[Jamz3333]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

Its really almost impossible to say with someone doing a pressure test. That should help you pin point the problem and ensure its fixed properly.

ok I understand that. I have read alot of things that said ou have to remove the drive in order to pressure test it, because of some reservoir. I dont think that I have a reservoir on my boat. Can anyone tell me for sure? It is a 1988 Baretta with an alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive. If my boat does not have the reservoir, can I test it with it still on the boat?

 

[achris]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

If you have no reservoir you could test it still on the bell housing, but you would have trouble finding the leak unless it's the prop shaft seals. You need the drive off in order to access all the seals that might be the problem.... Why would you want to do that anyway? You have to remove the drive to fix it, so why not make it easy on yourself and pull the thing off at the outset? It only takes 3 minutes.

Chris.........

EDIT: Here's a video I just made... -> http://youtu.be/w3O63YTOhn8

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

Jamz, I just went through the same issue with which you're dealing. Trust them when they say, "Pull the outdrive." You'll have a much better chance of finding the problem and I wouldn't be surprised if you find a couple of other little issues along the way.

 

[Jamz3333]

Re: milky lower unit grease...need help.

Ok thanks guys. The reason for not wanting to pull the drive is I was thinking about that oring might be the culprit. I was also afraid of the price to have seals put in it, buy I talked to one of my friends that is a marine mechanic and he gave me a really good price. Anyways thanks for all the advice!