water in the sterndrive

ok million dollar question. Is it possible that by getting water in the sterndrive one time would ruin it enough to have the whole thing replaced?<br /><br />I replace the waterpump in my alpha I and forget to put the o-ring in that goes between lower and upper. Needless to say I got water in it. I ran it at lake for about an hour and the gears started grinding. took it home and figured out my stupid mistake.. fixed it,drained it then took it back out a couple of times. No problems that I could hear. about 2 weeks later was out at the lake and this loud vibration came from back of boat. I figured it was gimball bearing. Took it to mechanic and he says the whole sterndrive is shot. There was a little water still in it not bad though... <br />So once again is it possible the whole thing needs to be replaced or am I getting taken for a ride???<br /><br />Tallman

Re: water in the sterndrive

YES !!!!!

Re: water in the sterndrive

Indeed.

Re: water in the sterndrive

I'm not sure what the guys are saying yes to... whether the mechanic is correct or if you're being taken for a ride??<br /><br />It seems odd to me that your outdrive would be trashed that quickly from water damage. However, I wonder how much gear lube may have been lost due to the missing gear housing to drive housing o-ring. If water can enter there...gear lube must be able to escape as well.<br /><br />Walt

Re: water in the sterndrive

It pretty much was a milk shake and all foamy froth when I let the oil or what was left of it out.<br />Mind you after that happend and I put the O ring back it it seemed to run just fine the 3 times I took it out, although I did not go out for long about 2 hrs each time or there abouts.