Hi to everyone.
Firstly this is only my second post, and I would like to say a big thanks for all the invaluable info I have found on this site!
I have just replaced the gimbal / bellows / impeller / on my 1999 Alpha 1 Gen 2 mated to a 3l mercruiser in a Searay 180 br of the same year, and would not have managed if not for all your help and advice!
The gimbal was a pig. I made my own versions of all the pulling tools on here, and managed to break all of them! Ended up welding a 3/4"nut to the bearing, used some threaded bar, and eventually got it out. Managed to melt the speedo tubing, and the starboard trim sensor in the process, but hey ho, its out and changed!
Also managed to snap the through transom connection for the drive lube connector, and somehow got the tracer string I attached to the shift cable wedged in the flywheel housing. A steep learning curve but all is well now.:joyous:
The problem I now have, is that the reason this work was due, was an intrusion of water in the U joint bellows, which contaminated the outdrive with water. I have refilled the outdrive, but the oil was immediatley contaminated again as I did not flush the outdrive out before I refilled it! The boat has not been back in the water since, so it must be the residue of the old oil.
I want to flush the outdrive, and have read several posts here regarding using cheap engine oil, kerosene, and diesel. What are your thoughts on this? The cheapest and easiest option for me is red diesel. Is there a possibility of damaging the outdrive / seals by running it for a couple of minutes filled with diesel, draining, refilling etc untill the drained diesel runs clear and clean?
Any advice / oppinions will be very much appreciated. I realy dont want to fall at the last hurdle!!!
Thanks in advance
Firstly this is only my second post, and I would like to say a big thanks for all the invaluable info I have found on this site!
I have just replaced the gimbal / bellows / impeller / on my 1999 Alpha 1 Gen 2 mated to a 3l mercruiser in a Searay 180 br of the same year, and would not have managed if not for all your help and advice!
The gimbal was a pig. I made my own versions of all the pulling tools on here, and managed to break all of them! Ended up welding a 3/4"nut to the bearing, used some threaded bar, and eventually got it out. Managed to melt the speedo tubing, and the starboard trim sensor in the process, but hey ho, its out and changed!
Also managed to snap the through transom connection for the drive lube connector, and somehow got the tracer string I attached to the shift cable wedged in the flywheel housing. A steep learning curve but all is well now.:joyous:
The problem I now have, is that the reason this work was due, was an intrusion of water in the U joint bellows, which contaminated the outdrive with water. I have refilled the outdrive, but the oil was immediatley contaminated again as I did not flush the outdrive out before I refilled it! The boat has not been back in the water since, so it must be the residue of the old oil.
I want to flush the outdrive, and have read several posts here regarding using cheap engine oil, kerosene, and diesel. What are your thoughts on this? The cheapest and easiest option for me is red diesel. Is there a possibility of damaging the outdrive / seals by running it for a couple of minutes filled with diesel, draining, refilling etc untill the drained diesel runs clear and clean?
Any advice / oppinions will be very much appreciated. I realy dont want to fall at the last hurdle!!!
Thanks in advance