Alpha One Lower Unit

[USA Shooter]

Hope you can help. I have a 4cy mecruiser with a Alpha One lower unit. I change out the lower unit oil and started up the boat for the first time this year and it runs fine. I put it in the water for the first time yesterday and when I went to give it gas it would quit running around 2 rpms. it started right up again and when I put it in gear I could hear a grinding noise coming from the lower unit. The boat finaly took off but could still hear a grinding noise and when I went to turn the boat the noise would get louder and actually slow its self down. I was wondering if it could be bearings in the lower unit ? I am lost and looking for some help..Thanks for reading and have a great day...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Alpha One Lower Unit

may not make any difference, but what year? there's gen 1 and gen 2 alpha1's...

so did you do any of the items from these threads.. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=192804. take note of the winterizing part too. there was pm to do then if too. if you missed that, you'll have more to do to get it ready for the summer..doing these items would be a step towards having a running boat. also will help find problems too, before they exist...

 

[USA Shooter]

Re: Alpha One Lower Unit

It is a 1986 and was told it is a Gen 1.. This is my first boat and very new to al this

 

[ziggy]

Re: Alpha One Lower Unit

i'd think gen1 too.

you just need to do lots of reading.

did you understand anything about what was said in the summerization thread?

you'll also need a service manual to understand. you can find yours in the adults only sticky at the top of the i/o forum. #9. chose your poison by description, confirm proper manual by serial number.. for sure #6 for your drive. + whatever engine manual you need. in them manuals are lots of pics, trouble shooting guides, general info, specific info and more. they're really packed full of lots of good reading..

what you don't understand. read and ask questions..

read this fourm too. lots of problems being ask about, lots of answers too. ya can learn from other's issues...

one thing ya might look for on the grinding is. drain the lub out of the drive. inspect for metal fragments. on the drain magnet if ya got one. feel the lub as it's coming out. i like to catch the first part of the draining lub since i recon metal will fall to the bottom and i'll have a better chance of feeling it, if there is any. you don't want to feel anything but nice clean lub. it should also look just like it did when you put it in. not milky. gimble brgs. can make noise too. to inspect it you have to remove the drive and go feel it with your fingers. i'm sure there's other possibilities too.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Alpha One Lower Unit

did you remove the drive for the winter?
grinding /marble sounding could be the gimbal bearing.
Exactly how did you change the oil?
you should have pumped it in from the bottom untill it came out the top.
If not done this way drive failure is a possability.