gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

[lucky7's]

I have a 2002 merc 6.2 with a bravo one drive and my gearlube monitor thru- hull fitting is broken. I already have the drive and bell housing off but it looks impossible to get to from inside the boat. I can see it with a flash light and the only thing I could get to it with is a long screwdriver. Anybody know and easy way to change these things out without tearing apart the whole back of the motor?

 

[boat127]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

you need to pull off the quick coonct fitting from the inside of the boat. then that bulk head fitting is held in with a C-clip i use a long screw driver just becareful not to loose the clip then push it threw. to install the new one grease the orings push it threw and put on the clip you may beable to put a twist tie around the clip and a long screw driver and use that to get in on they are a pita

 

[Don S]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

I have changed a few of them, Alpha's have the same stupid plastic fitting that breaks every time you try to remove the bellhousing for a bellows change or anything else.
There is no "Easy Way" I have only had one that I couldn't change, but another tech at the shop had better (longer) arms and double jointed and could reach it with one hand.
Getting it apart is one thing, putting that E clip back on with one hand by feel is a whole new ball game.
The marine design engineers that design this kind of thing should be taken out behind the barn and beaten with a stick, or even worse, make them change it once then go back to the drawing board.

 

[ziggy]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

no idea if this will help. but.
on my buddy's boat. a 2000 merc. v6. we had to remove the power steering assy. to gain access to the plastic fitting. i can only assume the alpha1 genII is similar to the bravo. i have no info to go on. anyways. the clip was the bummer. we used a short pocket type flat blade to remove the clip. harder yet was putting the c clip back. ended up using them locking type hemostats. clamping onto the clip put it at just the right angle to allow installation of the clip to the plastic fitting.. ingenuity is a plus when working on an i/o i find.. good luck with your project.

 

[lucky7's]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

Yea this one is so hard to get to its going to be a challenge. There is no way to get your hand in there. Geesh its even hard to see with a flashlight. I have big hands and that is making it worse. This is about the most retarded stupid thing I have ever came across. Talk about a 5min job that is going to turn into who knows how many days to fix. All the exhaust and power steering fittings are in the way. I think I am going to have to pull stuff apart to get in there to change this thing.

 

[ziggy]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

???? maybe take some digital pics of the offending area. might give insight as to how to go get it.. maybe??? aiin't boats fun sometimes.....

 

[lucky7's]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

I am going to give it a good try tomorrow when I can see better. If I cant get to it reasonably then I will take some pics and see what you guys think..... Thanks for the help!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

one of the more polite descriptions is that jeezus clip. buy 3 more when you buy the fitting. trust me.
anytime I have to remove the monitor line I cut it in two, then after removing everything I try to gently trim it off with a brand new blade in my razor knife.
still get a few.
I am with DonS on the anganeer and the barn idea.
however some are actually brass.

 

[muc]

Re: gearlube monitor thru-hull fitting broke help!

Ya I broke more than a few myself.
Couple of tips that work for me.
1. Use a ?? drill bit from the outside to drill the old fitting head off ( it has a dimple in the middle to help center the hole, thanks merc )---- than you can push it thru to the inside of the boat ---- much easier than trying to remove quick disconnect and E-clip.
2. You can order a brass one and the associated fitting for reassembly if you want.
3. Going back together I think the plastic one is easier, the only tough part is getting the E-clip back on. Have extras available and grease the clip up so it will stick to the transom plate while you us a long hose tool or bent screw driver to slide the clip into the groove. Helps to have a buddy to push in on the fitting from the back of the boat so the groove lines up with the back side of the transom plate.
4. It can help to use a mirror on a stick to see whats going on down there.
Hope this helps
Good Luck Muc