Testing an Alpha one outdrive

[wknd@bernies]

I have alpha one outdrives on my 280 Sea Ray and when draining the gear oil I found some water in the port side. I changed over to sinthetic gear oil a couple of years ago and the water did not mix with the gear lube. Upon further investigation I found that the lower drain screw did not have a gasket on it. Do you think this could be the reason for the water in the gear housing or should I pressure test the outdrive and can I do it on the boat without removing the outdrive?


Thanks in advance,

Bill

 

[magstang1]

I would pressure test.

Prevention is cheaper than remedy.

 

[kbsunlovers]

I pressure and vac test every year. Making a tool to do it is pretty simple:
http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...sure-check-prior-post-233546.html#post1573303

 

[wknd@bernies]

That is true..........can I test it without taking the outdrive off the boat? Thanks for the reply!!!!!!!

Bill

 

[wknd@bernies]

thank you for your suggestion. I can't open the link you sent me. Can I pressure test withthe outdrive on the boat? And how much pressure does it take to test 10 or 20 pounds? I have gotten two different pressures.

Thank you

Bill

 

[magstang1]

I read through the link. Mind you, this is just what I read.

If your drive has an oil reservoir you will either need to plug the tube leading to the reservoir or remove the drive. Apparently the drive has a valve which seals when it is removed from the boat for the remote reservoir.

If you do not have a remote reservoir, you can pressure test on the boat. It's a self contained system.

Drive lube should be emptied prior to testing.

15 psi seems to be the agreed upon "right" pressure but many guys are using 10-12lbs of pressure or vacume.

 

[saopm]

I do mine at 10psi. Let it sit overnight and see if it holds the pressure. You could probably get away with pinching the tube up by the reservoir with a vice grip. Just don't go crazy and damage the tube.

 

[wknd@bernies]

Thank You so much. I put together a pressure tester today and going to test it tomorrow thanks to all of you. Don't know what I would do without all the help from fellow boaters like you guys. Hope you all have a great summer and enjoy the water with all your beautiful boats!!!!!!

Hope I can help someone sometime too!

Bill

 

[Brite Idea]

No gasket on the lower screw is enough to do it but pressure testing will end any doubt you have. Why did you switch to synthetic? If you change the drive oil every year the Merc stuff is fine.
Rob