Pressure test 1990 Alph1 Gen1

[Drivewayboater2]

Hello All,
I recently replaced seals on my outdrive. Did both upper and lower. Shift shaft seal, replaced impeller with all new seals and replaced bearing carrier. I replaced everything but the universal joint seal on the top half since it is a bit tricky to get the preload correct. Did a pressure test and found it holds 3lbs of pressure for about a minute. What’s the best way to determine where the leak may be? Spray bottle with soapy water? If it’s in the seal on the upper half beyond the universal joint what’s the best way to determine that it’s leaking? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Scott06]

Hello All,
I recently replaced seals on my outdrive. Did both upper and lower. Shift shaft seal, replaced impeller with all new seals and replaced bearing carrier. I replaced everything but the universal joint seal on the top half since it is a bit tricky to get the preload correct. Did a pressure test and found it holds 3lbs of pressure for about a minute. What’s the best way to determine where the leak may be? Spray bottle with soapy water? If it’s in the seal on the upper half beyond the universal joint what’s the best way to determine that it’s leaking? Any help would be appreciated.

Spray soapy water or gas leak detector (from hardware store) on the seal areas including shifter etc

Was it leaking oil out the input shaft before the work?

Might double check the quad ring between the two halves and the fill and drain plugs are holding

 

[tpenfield]

+1 soapy water. How much do you want to bet a quarter that it is the one seal you didn't replace

 

[Drivewayboater2]

Thanks both!
I figured soapy water was in order..
no sign of leaking before seals were done. I figured with the age and not knowing what had been serviced I figured I’d do them. Boat sat for 2 years before i purchased. As I removed things off the boat I rebuilt everthing… EXCEPT THE SEAL TPENFIELD is referring to… don’t want to take that bet…ugh
any tips on doing that seal? Getting the correct preload can be tricky. I’ve got manual #6 and have read up on it. I’m not afraid of doing the work and the seal came with the kit I purchased. I watched some vids on it but still have reservation. Any tips?

 

[nola mike]

You can pressure test the halves separately to narrow things down

 

[achris]

You can pressure test the halves separately to narrow things down

Yep, just have to plug the oil passage between the halves.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I had trouble finding a leak on Alpha 1 once and dropped it in a water trough. Quickly showed itself as a teeny trail of tears.