Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

[Walker600]

So I noticed the other day that the gear oil in the drive lube monitor was starting to look a bit off color. (Alpha 1 gen 2)Two weeks previously I had just replaced a worn impeller/split water tube. I was hoping that it might just be a case of the o-rings between either the bell housing/upper unit or upper unit/lower unit being in need of replacement. So i've pulled the drive and replaced the o-rings, and re-fit the drive.

Before I put the correct gear oil back in I thought I would run a little bit of flushing oil through to clear out any water residue, and now it would appear the at least some of the flushing oil is running out through the propeller hub.

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for what this might be and what to do next?

Many Thanks

Chris

 

[dubs283]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for what this might be and what to do next?

pressure test the drive before you put lube in it

you should do this every time you service any seals in the drive

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Drain the gear lube, and pressure test the drive. Use a sray bottle of soapy water and to spray the drive to find the leak. You will probably be able to hear the leak.

 

[Walker600]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Thanks guy, sorry if any of these are dumb questions, but I presume that I pressure test with air? to what psi? If the unit is all bolted together then how do I spray the seals with soapy water? Would you check the upper unit, lower unit, bellhousing to oil monitor separately or all at once? Cheers

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

You test with about 15 psi of air. With the drive off the boat, you can look into the front of the drive around the raw water pump, and vertical shaft and get in there to spay the soapy water. Then just watch for where the bubbles are being blown.

 

[Walker600]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Thanks much,

I'll check in the morning

 

[Walker600]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Hey Guys,

So I dropped the drive today and pressure tested the oil passageways, low and behold there was a leak.... I believe it is coming from the oil seal at the top of the vertical drive shaft in the upper unit (apologies for poor terminology)
I think it is part number 5 in this diagram http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...=110&bdesc=DRIVESHAFT+HOUSING+AND+DRIVE+GEARS

My question is, typically there appears to be a choice of seals and I don't know if there is a difference of which one I need.
the serial number i've pulled off my sterndrive is ow145241, this doesn't seem to match the chart.
Can anyone offer any advice on which to buy? If it helps my engine serial is 0W043698

Thanks very much

 

[dubs283]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

looks right to me

that is a double seal now (OEM), otherwise it is two seals installed back to back (older OEM)

you will need to pull the driveshaft bearing cup and shims to replace it

 

[Walker600]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

looks right to me

that is a double seal now (OEM), otherwise it is two seals installed back to back (older OEM)

you will need to pull the driveshaft bearing cup and shims to replace it

Does that mean I need to go in from the top??? Will either of those oil seals work?

 

[Don S]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Yes, you need to disassemble the upper. Not a difficult job, remove the ujoint carrier assembly (keep track of the shims), remove the top cap, lift out the gear and the seal is in view. New seals, reassemble and do a pressure check to make sure all is correct.
Here is the manual for help with all the details http://www.4shared.com/document/dPQUcyn_/Service_Manual_14.html

 

[Walker600]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

you lot are the best. cheers

 

[Walker600]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Hey, do you guys use the u-joint retainer tool or something else? and what socket do you use for the top cover? cheers

 

[achris]

Re: Water in outdrive gear oil, now leaking from prop hub??

Hey, do you guys use the u-joint retainer tool or something else? and what socket do you use for the top cover? cheers

You do need to use the retainer wrench, especially on re-install, so you can get the correct tightening torque. The top cover screws are 3/8" 12-point.

Chris.......