Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#7
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
Mercruiser A-1 gear lube consumption
Mr Wizzard wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message ... On 17 Jul 2006 05:56:29 -0700, "jamesgangnc" wrote: There are a number of places where it can leak and not be noticed in the water. The exhaust and the bellows. There is really no way to get much of a view into the bellows area. You have to pull the outdrive and check inside the belows for fluid. And then it's still hard to tell as the grease from the ujoints and coupler sometimes creates some oily fluid if it has been heavily lubed. Did you ever have the pump impeller replaced? Someone may have not used a new o-ring between the upper and lower unit when they were split. Have you checked the lower unit for water in the lube? To do this you carefully remove the lower plug just enough to get a few drops out to see that they are not milky or contain water. If it is still covered by a warrenty you can try to get it fixed. If not then as long as there was not any water getting in the outdrive I'd be inclined to just check for water a few times a year and live with it until the end of the season. The pull the outdrive and have it pressure tested. At our house this is not the time for the boat to be out of commission :-) Mr Wizzard wrote: "katekebo" wrote in message egroups.com... The consumption should be "zero", nothing, unless you have a leak. Damn, I was afraid of that. So where could the leak be then ?? And if there is a "leak", out of curosity, why doesn't it leak in the driveway? (gravel pad). As I said, I see no signs anywhere. Is there a remote chance that there was an air bubble in the line somewhere from the factory from last June when I bought it, and it just boke loose somehow? Has anyone here had experience with a leak in this new of an Alpha 1 drive, nad what was the actual cause/resolution ? However..... if you have changed the lubricant recently, it is normal that few air bubbles will remain in the outdrive after an oil change. They will "purge" themselves during the first three to five trips, and consequently the oil level will drop. If the oil level continues dropping after the first 5 trips after an oil change, then you have a leak that needs to be fixed Mr Wizzard wrote: What's normal for gear lube consumption for the newer Alpha 1? I have a 2005 Bayliner 175 w/ Mercruiser 3.0L A-1 which has little plastuc gear lube monitor. Only had it out 2-3 times this year since winter, and I noticed that the fluid level is down about 1/2 inch below the "Add" line, and I'm concerned. Its *never* gotten that low before! Today we stoped in the middle of the lake and went swimming, wading, and what not, and I looked very hard for the "rainbow", and found nothing. No signs of a leak anywhere. No smell, no film, all dry, no rainbow on water. So if the Alpha-1 was leaking/seeping gear lube, where would it be going? prop shaft seal, shift lever? I wonder if its leaking inside the bellows for the drive shaft ? is there a way to see down in the bellows from the inside? I know everyone says that it should use NO gear lube, I'm just wondering if there is any acceptable amount of gear lube that a newer Alpha-1 can consume before being concerned? I have been running it pretty hard, and longer periods of WOT, could that make a difference ? Thanks! If you look here http://tinyurl.com/ryp3d you'll see an o-ring as part #4. My outdrive began leaking one year, and I didn't realize it until I noticed some discoloration in the water as I was sitting at the dock. I believe it was this o-ring that was replaced by the shop, but I'm not 100% sure. It was either an o-ring or seal in the outdrive. Once replaced the leak stopped. Interesting web page, thanks! However, like I said in an earlier post, there is absolutly no rainbow on the water anywhere (looked long and hard). Also, ans while we're on the subject, where does one get a "pump" to change the gear lube? - I read that you have to pump the lube "up" the drive from the bottom drain plug. WalMart. But I use a presurized 2 gallon (former) pesticide spray can with a homemade spigot. (another stupid-ass maintenance/design deal). More physics than design. Filling from the bottom reduces/eliminates bubbles & trapped air resulting in a more complete fill. Rob |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
gear lube leak??????????????? | General | |||
How much gear oil in mercruiser | General | |||
Mercruiser Bravo winterizing - outdrive lube change. | General | |||
Can anyone answer a question I have about lube for a Mercruiser Alpha outdrive foot? | General | |||
gear lube for 88 OMC sterndrive (4.3L) | General |