Alpha One Gen II loosing oil

[Kubaat3lover]

Hello boaters, Ive noticed small issue on my boat because in 6 months (summer season) my drive lube from full goes to the minimum level then it stays for ever..
I have no leaks in the bilge, no leaks inside the bellows
I did pressure test (5and15psi) on my Alpha G2 with no leaks but Ive tested the whole drive, not separated.
Should it be done as a whole unit or separated? If separated how to keep it pressured?
Boat sit in the water for the summer season.

Regards

 

[alldodge]

If you refilled the drive, then this is normal. There is an air pocket in the top of the drive which is above the vent. It just takes some time for all the air to work its way out

To speed up the process, the drive needs to be off the boat. After refilling put vent plug in and also fill/drain plug. Lay the drive on its side with the vent facing up. Remove the vent and pour in lube until full.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Yes I do this processs according to manual but after this air pocket is relased the oil level is slowly decreasing during the weeks..
How about the pressure test I have asked above? Thanks

 

[alldodge]

drive lube from full goes to the minimum level then it stays for ever..

Sorry, misunderstood, mentioned it stays forever so figured it stops

I did pressure test (5and15psi) on my Alpha G2 with no leaks but Ive tested the whole drive, not separated.
Should it be done as a whole unit or separated? If separated how to keep it pressured?

It should be tested as whole drive. Most consensus is 5 to 7 psi. The seals being lip type will seal tighter as the pressure increases. Also good to use a hand vacuum pump and pull 2 to 3 in Hg.

Rotating drive, prop and shift shafts

 

[Kubaat3lover]

I dont have vacuum pump, i did pressure tester and pump 5-10 as Chris said in previous posts but no leaks.
I have changed 2 years ago seal under the impeller change so I assume its fine

 

[isaacs]

Still not sure I understand the "stays forever" thing. You mean the oil level drops to minimum and then stays there even as you put more hours on the outdrive? If that's the case then you're just pushing out some air bubbles--no problem, refill and go boating! Mine does this every year; I intentionally overfill the reservoir and it drops to normal.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Lets say the air bubble gone, I add more fluid but after some time it will be slowly decreasing...

 

[isaacs]

I get it, you have a very small leak. If there's no oil in the bellows it must be leaking into the water, look for a floating oil sheen on a calm day. Unless the reservoir or connection to it is leaking. Are you sure both your screw plugs have decent O ring gaskets on them? Have you removed the prop and looked for fishing line?

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Yes, every year i put new orings on the drain plugs.
Did pressure (upper and lower part together) test and no leaks for 15mins for 5-15 psi like Chris said.
I will try with new reservoir cap and will see this year...

 

[Kubaat3lover]

I have removed reservoir, it was 'moist' around the tube #7 and the connector #5. Maybe the connector or the hose itself is old and cracked (?)
Do You know where this hose #7 goes so i can replace that part?? Take care

 

[alldodge]

Hose goes to the transom assembly, and connects to fitting
Other side of transom assembly then goes to drive

 

[Kubaat3lover]

So that can be a pain to replace the whole hose if needed,
but on this pic
there is a connector #16, wheres that? maybe somewhere in the engine area so its eassy accesible and easy fix to replace the whole hose ??

 

[alldodge]

Its on the inside of the boat on the transom assembly. Behind the motor, above the drive shaft and starboard side and below the drive hose fitting. In most cases its hard to see and some just have to feel for it

 

[tank1949]

So that can be a pain to replace the whole hose if needed,
but on this pic View attachment 340225
there is a connector #16, wheres that? maybe somewhere in the engine area so its eassy accesible and easy fix to replace the whole hose ??

On my Bravos, #3 had a large O ring assembly in its bottom that was leaking but it's leaking was concealed by motor. It wasn't until I pulled motors that I saw and felt leak.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Im suspecting the gear lube monitor, will try to find that

 

[Kubaat3lover]

Ok, new gear lube monitor/container, pressure tested drive and still after few days i can see the oil is descending shomehow.. nothing in the bilge

 

[alldodge]

Then most likely you have a shaft leak, no guarantees

 

[Kubaat3lover]

shift shaft? prop shaft ?

 

[alldodge]

I would think prop only becuse when its a very slow leak that is usually where it is.

 

[Kubaat3lover]

But why pressure test shows nothing?? thanks