Re: Alpha 1, Gen 2 Gear Lube Leak
OK....here is where I'm at.
I split the drive, replaced the quad ring (used some bellows glue to hold it in place) and replaced the two o-rings and the seal on the shift shaft housing. Obviously, all the oil above where the drive split drained out, but I kept the oil that was in the lower-lower unit as it was brand new and not milky. After putting it back together, I filled the drive with lube to the FULL line in the reservoir. Ran the motor (in forward to turn the gears) for a bout 5 minutes afterwards and saw no leaks. Finished this all at about 3PM yesterday.
When I left for work at about 5AM this morning, I rubbed a paper towel at the weep holes and on the bottom of the sceg and came up with a pretty small amount of oil. It wasn't alot, but it was enough to stain the napkin, and I know that area was clean when we finished. What's interesting is that the oil on the napkin was dark, almost black...not the very distinctive blue of the gear lube.
Maybe I'm grasping at straws, but is it possible this is old lube from the old leak making its way out (or down)? Or is it probably still leaking? I had to leave the boat for work for 4 days, so I'll have an answer on Friday when I get back I guess.
Next question is assuming it is still leaking...how much will a shop charge me to pressure test it to find/fix the leak?
