4.3 LX Gen+ Alpha leaking water/oil mixture

[Mark R.]

1996 Sea Ray 175 with 4.3 Liter V6 Mercruiser (owned by a relative).
The labels on the outdrive say 4.3 LX Gen+ and the serial number is 0F679962.
Unfortunately, boat was stored for past two years with drive in trailer position.
Boat reportedly ran well during last lake outing, then got winterized & parked.
Recently, (past month) a water/oil mixture has been leaking onto the ground.
It is coming out of the water intake grates on the lower half of the drive unit.
The drive oil reservoir was reportedly full, but I noticed it is now empty.
The boat has just been sitting. It hasn't been moved or even touched for years.
What could cause this to all of a sudden start happening?

 

[nola mike]

1996 Sea Ray 175 with 4.3 Liter V6 Mercruiser (owned by a relative).
The labels on the outdrive say 4.3 LX Gen+ and the serial number is 0F679962.
Unfortunately, boat was stored for past two years with drive in trailer position.
Boat reportedly ran well during last lake outing, then got winterized & parked.
Recently, (past month) a water/oil mixture has been leaking onto the ground.
It is coming out of the water intake grates on the lower half of the drive unit.
The drive oil reservoir was reportedly full, but I noticed it is now empty.
The boat has just been sitting. It hasn't been moved or even touched for years.
What could cause this to all of a sudden start happening?

Bad seal in the drive. You'll need to remove the drive, pressure tested to see where it's leaking, and replace the seal

 

[Mark R.]

Any ideas about what might cause it to all of a sudden start leaking after sitting there undisturbed for so long..?

 

[dubs283]

start leaking after sitting there undisturbed for so long..?

Answer, see question

Seal(s) most likely dried out. Alpha style drives are notorious leakers anyways

As stated, pull the drive, drain and pressure test to find the leak(s)

 

[Mark R.]

Answer, see question

Seal(s) most likely dried out. Alpha style drives are notorious leakers anyways

As stated, pull the drive, drain and pressure test to find the leak(s)

Yeah. I plan to pull the drive off this weekend and I'll pressure test it to try to locate the seal leak.
But I'm still somewhat confused: How would the leaking oil get into the water passage..?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Yeah. I plan to pull the drive off this weekend and I'll pressure test it to try to locate the seal leak.
But I'm still somewhat confused: How would the leaking oil get into the water passage..?

Every seal keeps oil out of the water passages - if they leak, that's where the oil goes. Well, except for the input shaft, which when leaking fills your bellows with oil.

 

[tractoman]

I just had this same issue on my boat.
We missed a season getting it out and I just noticed gear lube leaking out the water inlet ports on the lower unit. I did a fiull waterpump service and the water pump base seal carriera assembly.was where I found my leak. Part #807929A1. Assuming you have a Gen II outdrive.

 

[Mark R.]

I just had this same issue on my boat.
We missed a season getting it out and I just noticed gear lube leaking out the water inlet ports on the lower unit. I did a fiull waterpump service and the water pump base seal carriera assembly.was where I found my leak. Part #807929A1. Assuming you have a Gen II outdrive.

OK. Thanks for that. I do have a Gen-II and I recognize that shaft seal.
And I know it's located directly under the water impeller housing.
So I can see how that particular oil seal could leak into the water intake.
I will report back after I remove the drive this weekend.

 

[nola mike]

OK. Thanks for that. I do have a Gen-II and I recognize that shaft seal.
And I know it's located directly under the water impeller housing.
So I can see how that particular oil seal could leak into the water intake.
I will report back after I remove the drive this weekend.

Most of them can. Pressure test the drive.

 

[Mark R.]

Most of them can. Pressure test the drive.

I will definitely pressure test it as soon as I can (hopefully this weekend).

 

[sickwilly]

Not a bad idea to replace that carrier seal every other impeller. Mine eventually leaked too. I can't complain too much, it held a seal for 14 years and nearly a thousand hard hours of boating.

 

[Mark R.]

Update:
I drained out all the gear lube. It was clean and fresh (dark blue/green color) with no sign of water until the very end. So I think there was a small amount of water in the upper section.
The outdrive does not hold pressure or vacuum, but the lower section, when tested by itself, does hold pressure and vacuum.
There was a rusty puddle of water sitting in the gimbal bellow. The gimbal bearing has some rust on it and appears to be frozen.
The universal coupling has some surface rust, but movement is totally smooth and quiet.

Conclusion:
- Reseal upper outdrive section.
- Remove and replace gimbal bearing.
- Remove and replace all bellows.
- Install new water impeller kit.

Interested in any other comments, or suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Rick Stephens]

If the bellows had water in it then the u-joints are toast.