1986 Alpha One has leaked oil since service....

[Fiat4Fun]

Happy New Years!
So, I got my boat winterized and water pump replaced last November, and stuck the boat in the shop. When I stored it, I put cardboard down, and lowered the drive for winter storage.

When I was walking behind the boat, I noticed a small oil stain on the cardboard. Need to go check and see where it's leaking. Not sure if the gasket on the lower plug is bad or if oil is leaking somewhere else. Looks like I will be replacing the drive oil before the season.

So any advice on what to look for the leak and how obvious it would be? My boat mechanic is a couple hours away, so it might be easier to just fix it here. Might have to build one of those drive dollies after all ;-)

 

[Rick Stephens]

Might just be the little bit of oil, usually less than an ounce, that leaks down the shaft between upper and lower when the cases are split. No way to drain that oil out and it coats everything in the water passage unless wiped off at the time. I'd put fresh cardboard down and see if the issue continues.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Thanks for the response, will go out there tonight and put another piece of cardboard out there. Will also see if I can see where it might be coming from.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

well, my new cardboard has an pretty good oil stain on it/
Looks like I will need to pull the drive...... Any suggestions or thoughts are appreciated.
THANKS

 

[Grub54891]

Pull the drive, pressure and vaccume check it. Many times its the shift shaft seal thats leaking, hopefully its that wich is an easy fix. You will have to split the drive to replace that seal.

 

[Rick Stephens]

At least the Alpha 1 is pretty simple to replace most any of the seals.
Build yourself a pressure tester. Drain all the oil and pressure test. Spray soapy water on each of the seals.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Well the weather is finally changing here in Oregon, so getting ready to pull the drive. Is there a good link on how to change the seals, or is it pretty straight forward? I did buy a Marc water pump kit, which I think has all the seals, along with some Marc Oil. I was thinking this might be a good time to change the trim sensors too, while I have the driver off. Feel free to send me any links on that job......
Thanks in advance.....

 

[Grub54891]

The water pump kit does not come with the seals to service the entire drive. Changing the trim sensers is a good idea along with the bellows and gimble bearing.

 

[Rick Stephens]

If you are going to keep this boat longer than a couple weeks, go out and buy a service manual for it. There are a number of sources, one here as an example.

You really can't replace trim senders just pulling the drive. Those require access behind the bell housing. Usually plan replacement when the bellows is replaced.

 

[nola mike]

You really can't replace trim senders just pulling the drive. Those require access behind the bell housing. Usually plan replacement when the bellows is replaced.

If then. They're a real PITA on the gen 1's.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Thanks for the input. I am sure I have the factory manuals here, will need to wipe off the winter dust. Just ordered the rest of the gaskets and stuff. Will plan to pull the drive next week. I understand the bolt for the sensor wire hold down is a pain, so I will get myself up to the challenge. I assume water can weep in there. Looks like the new sensors come with the seal. Should there be more "seal" applied there?
Thanks again for the input.

 

[Paintman1960]

I put some RTV on the inside ,just to be sure ..

 

[Rick Stephens]

I put some RTV on the inside ,just to be sure ..

I'm no longer a silicon person. The stuff is garbage for most things. 3M 4200 is much tougher, easier to get off and paints better. That's for anything that might need to be removed later. For anything permanent, 5200. Even Marine Goop is much better than silicon.

 

[achris]

If you're looking for leaks on an Alpha One, have a read of this document....

Drive leaking oil

 

[achris]

I'm no longer a silicon person. ....

But I have heard you have silicon friends.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Love the links. I plan to dive in in the next couple of weeks. Ordered more gaskets, and they should be here next week. I am betting that the seals around the water pump is where the outdrive oil leaked out. From what I have found online, a vacuum test is not needed, but to do a pressure test? Seems like some do a vacuum test and others don't ?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Love the links. I plan to dive in in the next couple of weeks. Ordered more gaskets, and they should be here next week. I am betting that the seals around the water pump is where the outdrive oil leaked out. From what I have found online, a vacuum test is not needed, but to do a pressure test? Seems like some do a vacuum test and others don't ?

Those little hand pumps that sell for ~$40 on fleabay will both pull vacuum or build pressure. They work great for this.

Oil seals work both ways - the most important function is to keep water out, so many mechanics use a bit of vacuum to test that ability. An oil seal with the lips facing the oil, when under pressure, are pulled tighter giving potentially different results than the same seal under vacuum.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Can you tell me more about the pumps on eBay? What should I search for?

 

[nola mike]

Can you tell me more about the pumps on eBay? What should I search for?

Look for "mityvac vacuum pump". That's a brand, so once you know what you're looking for you can probably find cheaper knock offs.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

I did my pressure tester myself as inspired by other forum fellows.
Is there a possibility to make DIY vacuum tester or the only option is the hand vacuum pump with tester ?