[C17LoadSmasher]

Hey all, Well it's about that time again, and if anyone remembers I had taken the outdrive off to isolate the noise from the engine/sterndrive on the 3.0L Merc Alpha 1 Gen 2. I also went and changed out the water pump as well. I had found some metal flakes (small, but noticeable)in the lube oil when I drained it, and I put the lower unit and the upper unit back together. Now the fun part - I decided to go have the dealer check out the lower unit (they'll know what they are doing, me - not so much)- currently, the outdrive is still unattached from the transom, I was thinking that I should hook it back up, but if they are going to have to take it back off probably anyways, why waste my time? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance...

[mrmargaritaville]

Since the lower unit is already off it would probably be easier just to take the boat, and the lower unit to the mechanic as is. (At worst you should save a little labor because the dealer does not have to remove). You should get your hands on a set of shop manuals. You can get them for about $50, and they are well worth the money-you can order them through Mercury Marine. I am not mechanically inclined but whenever I need to do work on the boat, that I feel comfortable I can handle (change water pump impeller etc) the shop manual is a huge help. Now do me a favor-Go over to Shem Creek Bar and Grill, slurp at least two dozen for me, and throw back five or six Palmetto Pale Ales-I will live vicariously through you that evening. Man I would love to be sitting on Shem Creek this weekend, watching the boats and pounding down a few Palmetto Pale ales.

[C17LoadSmasher]

Hmm Shem Creek. I love taking the boat in the summer and docking at one of the restaurants. My favorite so far is Vickery's. Great view of the water from there.