Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

[gwhjr98]

Last fall the lower unit oil was changed. Just getting ready to get boat in the water when I noticed gear oil leaking out of both sides of the water drain holes in the lower unit. Is this a seal leak? If so.. which one and why would it show up at this time? Thanks for any help. 1998 Alpha one drive.

 

[tommays]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

is there ever a good time <br /><br />

<br /><br />the item 19 is part of a compleat water pump kit and is the only EASY seal to change <br /><br />it could be a different one with a presure test you can be more sure<br /><br />tommays

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

could be the shaft seals in the upper too.

 

[gwhjr98]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

I did change item 19 at the start of the summer last year when I changed the impeller. At the end of the year the oil was clean and did not have any water in it. I just started to clean things up today noticed it dripping oil. When I lowered the unit it was coming out of the drain holes. I topped off the reserve and it is not dripping. I just I should either replace the seals or get it tested. Is it a major expense/effort to test and replace? thanks

 

[Bill Hancock]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

Had exactly the same thing this spring!<br />Got a pressure test - turned out to be the shift shaft seal in lower unit.<br />Took the mechanic about an hour to replace seal, then he pressure tested again. All is fine now - not expensive.

 

[JStutz]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

Same here, I found a puddle of oil under the boat when I took the boat out of storage. Mechanic found a defective Shift Shaft Seal. I think its a Mercruiser Conspiracy!<br /><br />Jeff

 

[gwhjr98]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

I think you are right.. so based on the discussion is this the kit required to reseal? Its in the upper section of the housing? Do you have to pull the lower unit out to get to it? <br />26- 88397A 1 DRIVESHAFT HOUSING SEAL KIT <br /><br />Thanks

 

[tommays]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

as i said in the first post you need to pressure check the drive to avoide guessing and more than one seal could be leaking<br /><br />i am told that the newer black shift seal (35) is better than the orginal white one<br /><br /><br />its also and easy one to change but requires the upper and lower to be opened<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Baldguy]

Re: Alpha 1 lower unit oil leak

Holy cow...I noticed the same thing this last weekend. Oil under the drive. It appeared that the oil was coming from the shaft just behind the speedo fitting on the lower unit.<br /><br />So this is part of the water pump kit?