water in oil alpha 1 drive, pressure test ok.

[telstar1]

Have been watching leg oil gradually turn light green in reservoir bottle over maybe 20 hours running. Decided to investigate. All good in boot, prop in good shape no vibration,drained leg did pressure test all good. Wiggled all shafts and levers. Have read posts,cannot get a leak.Tested external reservoir hosing no leaks there.Local dealer said suspect rop shaft seal. Cannot get any bubbles ther but did notice that there is maybe 8 thou play side to side in prop shaft measured behind taper like it says in gen2 Clymer book.Spec is 7 thou.Another leg I have has abt 1/3 of that.Both these legs are Alph 1 gen1 but Id imagine spec is same as gen2?. Anyone have ideas on this,how to prove disprove propshaft seal thing?Think Ill put the other leg on boat till I get this sorted out

 

[thumpar]

Re: water in oil alpha 1 drive, pressure test ok.

Maybe try a vacuum test on it.

 

[wire2]

Re: water in oil alpha 1 drive, pressure test ok.

Many shafts have double seals,1 facing in to contain the oil, 1 facing out to exclude water. A pressure test will push the inner seal tighter into the shaft, possibly masking a problem.
As said, pull a vacuum, see if it holds over time.

 

[muc]

Re: water in oil alpha 1 drive, pressure test ok.

Sometimes the only way to find a minor gear lube leak is to disassemble the drive and look at all the back to back seals. They should have grease packed between them. When you find the ones that don't have any grease, you have found the leak. The lube and water going thru have washed out the grease. If you have too much play in your prop shaft. You might want to replace that bearing also.
Good Luck Muc

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: water in oil alpha 1 drive, pressure test ok.

Merc doesn't recommend a vacuum test as the input yoke seal won't hold vacuum