Water drain hole in Alpha 1 leaking oil!

[rmurray]

I recently purchased a clean '87 Eliminator with a 260 Merc/Alpha One. I now have some oil leaking from the water drain hole by the gear housing. In reading other threads, I can't determine if this is normal or not. Some theads say there is probably a broken seal. Others say its just oil or fuel draining out and its normal. I recently moved the exhaust to go thru the hull and capped the lower exhaust pipes. I ran it with the muffs for a few minutes just to have a listen to the new exhaust and it hasn't been run since (about 3 weeks). Now I have this little puddle of what appears to be oil. Is this just some kind of oil residue resulting from the exhaust being moved or is this a broken seal that requires attention? Thanks for any help. This is my first boat and i need all the help I can get! Thanks!

Great forum by the way!

[Bond-o]

Ayuh,........

You'd better have the Seals Checked,.......

Leaking Oil is Never a Good Thing,+ Rarely or Never Normal...........

[Don S]

The drive needs removed from the boat, gear lube drained and the pressure checked to find the leak. With about 15 psi of air and a spray bottle with soapy water, you WILL find the leak.

[Ryan00TJ]

I agree with Don S. You can buy a Merc pressure tester for $40 or take it to a Merc shop. If oil is leaking out water can get in. The four seals in that area are the quad seal, it seals the horizontal oil chamber between the two cases. Shift shaft seal, and lower vert driveshaft base oil seal and bottom water pump base oil seal. If any of these are leaking there could be oil draining down thru the shift shaft cavity and out the drain hole.

Pressure test is the way to go to determine if there is a leak. If so then check condition of above mentioned seals.

[SuperNova]

Don't forget the o-ring that goes at the top of the lower driveshaft to seal the splines! Had one of those torn and it will do just what you are saying. It looks like the oil is coming from the water hole. Usually damaged when lower unit is separated while replacing the water pump impeller.

[stevieray]

My '88 had the lower oil seal in the upper housing (the one that the drive shaft goes thru) go bad & leaked oil out the drain hole as well. On an '87, it may be time for a re-seal job.

[rmurray]

Thanks for all the great info. After buying a used boat and aside from doing a lube job and replacing the impeller, is there a particular list of things that should be replaced? Certain seals and/or gaskets and/or bearings? I'm a newb and I really want to take very good care of this boat. it's really a beauty. I'm probably going to take it to my local Merc shop (Dick Sherrer) to have it done professionally at least the first time, but I'd like to be able to specify the work I'd like done. I'm sure they know what's best, but I'd like to know myself. Maybe there is a "check list of things to do after purchasing a used boat" somewhere. Thanks again for all the help!

[FreeBeeTony]

Check this out.............http://www.mercstuff.com/loweroilleak.htm

(how do you add a link?)