Yet another stupid question......

[Schmoe]

OK, I've been reading on here for a long time. Actually worked with a Mercruiser mechanic many moons ago during the summer. I have downloaded and copied all available information on outdrives and such. They all seem so generalized. I mean, I know you have to take off the speedometer cable, but what about the reservior line for the outdrive coming off the refill tank inside the engine? You got to drain that first? Aren't there other hoses that have to be disconnected before you can pull the drive? I believe, as with the older 888's, the shifter should be in forward? do i have to drain all the oil from the outdrive itself before pulling it out? Some of those manuals aren't that clear on exactly what there is or what to expect.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Yet another stupid question......

From the sound of it you are working on an Alpha 1, gen 2?

If so, then yes on the forward gear, and no on the need to drain the oil first.

 

[flargin]

Re: Yet another stupid question......

OK, I've been reading on here for a long time. Actually worked with a Mercruiser mechanic many moons ago during the summer. I have downloaded and copied all available information on outdrives and such. They all seem so generalized. I mean, I know you have to take off the speedometer cable, but what about the reservior line for the outdrive coming off the refill tank inside the engine? You got to drain that first? Aren't there other hoses that have to be disconnected before you can pull the drive? I believe, as with the older 888's, the shifter should be in forward? do i have to drain all the oil from the outdrive itself before pulling it out? Some of those manuals aren't that clear on exactly what there is or what to expect.

Welcome,
I presume you mean by "download" you whent to this link, if so there are not many questions left open... but I understand it is hard to find the details.

To help yourself out, it is best to include the relevant details to your motor (year, Make, Model, etc) Then you will likely get more responses than you want.

 

[Schmoe]

Re: Yet another stupid question......

'96 Marada 3.0LX, alpha I, Gen II. I've yanked plenty of the older outdrives, mid 70's, but they've changed so much, I'm almost nervous to even to try and attempt this. Boat has never had the outdrive removed since built. Always dry stall stored after use at the lake. I've always hit the grease zerts and kept the maintenance up to par, if not better. I guess I'm getting nervous now because I want to take it out and it has been sitting for two years. I stabil'ed it throughly at the last run and then every summer, I put some more stabil in it. Probably about a gallon of fuel left in it. The last time I launched it, there always seems to be about a quarter cup of water in the bottom of the transom. But that's it. No more water comes in once it's off the trailer. Yeah, I know, I may be anal about this, but the wife got laid off so the "fund-age" is a little tight and I'm hoping it's nothing major. This year I plan to have a friend s-l-o-w-l-y back it up and I'll watch inside the motor to see if I can pin point where the water is coming from. Been a great boat so far and everything on it is still factory except for the plugs.

 

[Schmoe]

Re: Yet another stupid question......

I had mentioned on another thread about that leak at launch. One brethren said to launch with the drive down and look around. Another said to pull the drive up and if water is getting in it, then it's the bellows. If so, wouldn't water be pouring in like crazy?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Yet another stupid question......

Well, the simple answer is: It's time to pull the outdrive. Past time really. Nothing to be afraid of. Pull it off and many of your questions will be answered. After 13 years, I suspect it may be time to replace the bellows.