My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

[artificialreef]

Afternoon folks. First water pump service attempt on a Mercruiser one drive R (1983 attached to a 470). I replaced the impeller and put in a new housing with all the gaskets, Orings and seals. Assembled back together and rigged up a pressure tester. I plugged the top vent tube hole with a bolt and oring, placed the testing rig on the drain hole and proceeded to pump. It would not rise at all and i could hear wind coming from the cavity where the water tube and drive shaft are. I dont have the prop on, outdrive is off the boat on a stand. Is there a common newbie mistake i could have made, everything looked pretty straight forward. Is it that easy to damage the seal where the watertube slides into the housing? Any help would be appreciated. This planter has not seen the water since i bought 2 1/2 years ago.Does'nt need anything major. Just an owner that knows marine service. I am not so bad with automotive but have alot to learn in the marine realm. Thank you folks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

It would not rise at all and i could hear wind coming from the cavity where the water tube and drive shaft are

Ayuh,... Did you put the new quad-ring on for the oil galley,..??

 

[artificialreef]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

If thats the o-ring the sits on the deck of the lower when you mate the two halves together its definately there. I used some perfect seal to hold it in place when i mated the two together.

 

[ziggy]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

might try separating the halves and testing individually. i just got done doing this... now i'm back together and vac testing.

if ya think yer leaking at the bottom seal of the upper. maybe some soapy water misted in that area to help confirm.

don't know what the word is. but i use nothing applied to my quad ring prior to install. the ring kinda compresses into the recess in the lower and holds it there. + i watch to see it disappear right before the halves mate.

edit. check your pressure tester for leaks. mine always leaks since it's engineered together by me...

 

[Don S]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

Separate the upper and lower. Plug the hole for the oil passage and pressure check each section separately.
If you don't have a plug to fit the hole, just get a friend to hold their finger over the hole. 12-15 psi isn't hard to hold.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

When you folks say "quad-ring" you do mean just an o-ring right? Because thats all i put in there.

 

[ziggy]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

a quad ring...

it's the only seal used between the upper and the lower.

it's location.

just starboard of the water pump housing

 

[artificialreef]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

Yes Sir i put one in but in my kit it only looked like a black rubber o-ring. Yours looks like it has metal in it. Are they all supposed to be orange with metal inside? On a one drive R mercruiser that is? 1983.

 

[ziggy]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

all the ones that i've used never look like an o ring. they're flat on the od. and have a raised portion in the center of the sealing surface between the lower and upper. it fits snugly into a recess in the lower. i've never had one fall out and it seems secure when fitted into the recess.

the pic is a few years old. my new one this year was exactly the same. it's out of an oem (mercruser/quicksilver) impeller replacement kit.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

Zig, Don and Bondo, You folks are great! I think that may be where my problem lies. I have a black o-ring in there. My kit (from e-yougetwhatyoupaidfor) did not include it. I will try to find one on Iboats, or start from scratch and get the whole kit again here.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

Hello folks, just a follow up on my problem. The proffesionals above suggestion to split the halves and check each one individually worked like a champ. I did have the correct quad ring but i think the previose owner never had it together correctly to begin with. The gasket kit comes with several extra gaskets and i put in exactly what came out. When i split it open again and squirted soapy water around i found the leak coming from somewhere around the base housing below the impellar which i changed out also. I bought all new gaskets and replaced in the order of what looked like in the manual and each half is holding. Just goes to show you if it wasnt running when you got it dont assume its put together right. Thanks to the pros above again. I didnt even know i could test it in 2 pieces. I wasnt going to pressure test it at all, thought i had it right. Glad i did. This site is great!

 

[artificialreef]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

I guess you folks are prob going to tell me to get a vacuum gauge now huh?

 

[artificialreef]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

If i wasnt clear the leak was coming from the wrong gasket in the lower housing below the water pump housing.

 

[Don S]

Re: My outdrive pressure test could blow out a candle

I guess you folks are prob going to tell me to get a vacuum gauge now huh?

Nope, If it holds pressure, you should be good to go.