oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

[Daddy O]

I have oil coming from 2 holes in the upper part of the lower unit. Around the water pump area. Now have water in the oil. Would a Impeller Repair Kit fix the problem? Kit number 18-3217

I have a 1991 4.3L Mercuiser with Alpha One

Sterndrive serial number OD575222
Engine Number OD608617

 

[Don S]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

Good thing you gave a serial number. You state you have an Alpha I, but you actually have an Alpha I Gen II drive if the serial number is correct.
That impeller kit is NOT for a Gen II drive.
Also, it's an impeller kit and doesn't fix any oil leaks.
you need to drain the gear lube and do a pressure check to find what is leaking. Pressurise the drive to about 12 to 15 psi and spray some soapy water around all the seals. I would bet from your discription that you have a leaky shift shaft bushing/seal assembly. But you need to check before ordering any parts.

 

[Daddy O]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

Thanks
That's where I'll start. I'll have to make me something to pressurize with, and go from there.

 

[Daddy O]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

I was just looking up the shift shaft in my seloc manual, and it is not very clear. Is there a better reference?

 

[Don S]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

Is there a better reference?

Yea, it's called the Mercruiser Service manual. Not those junky aftermarket paper wasters.
Here is the FREE online manual that boatfix has online.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[Daddy O]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

I performed the leak check. It was leaking from the shift shaft bushing. I removed the lower unit. The housing to the shift shaft was cracked. Proabably from when I changed the U-Joints. 1st. timer. Since I have it apart I going to change the impeller also.

Thank you Don for your help.

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

What did you use to do the leak test? I was considering doing one on my A1

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

Now this is what a thread is supposed to look like!

*The poster stated the year make and model along with serial number.
* He gave a brief but concise description of the problem.
* Advice was offered.
* The advice was followed as offered.
* The problem was diagnosed and solved accordingly!

 

[Daddy O]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

The only problem with the seal is that it don't look like the ones pictured in the Mercruise manual.

I used a foot pump used for a bike tube, and made a fitting a work to screw into the top of the sterndrive. Someone has a posting that shows what I made, I just copied it, but I don't remenber where the thread was. More than likely it came from Don S.

 

[Daddy O]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

I replaced the bushing assembly, and while it was torn apart, I also replaced the impeller.

Thanks for your help!dd

 

[Daddy O]

Re: oil leaking from top of Lower Unit

Took it out last evening, no leaks.