Mercruiser Outdrive problems?

Question

Ok here is the deal I have a 1997 bay liner 2050 with a 350 v/8 and a alpha one out drive.

I replaced all the drive bellows last year because of the the shift cable leak.

So here is the problem I am having the drive oil reservoir was almost empty (i checked it because a buzzer was going off) filled it back up and ran the boat.

However after 1 or 2 of running on the river I got it back to the house and checked it and it was down to the add mark again.

I haven't been able to find a leak anywhere on the drive on the outside.

So i removed the lower oil fill plug and drained out about 1 oz of drive oil into a clear container and it was a blackish with some streaks in it.

Plus it looked like it might have soon small metal particles in it but very very small.

So my question is the drive ruined? or what should i do next?

Answer 1

I'm not trying to hijack this but I am in a similar situation, 1996 with alpha one/350.  I just had my shift bellow replaced and since then the reservoir is leaking down.  At first I thought it was just bleeding a bit so I added.  Took the boat out for 2 hours and it went down an inch or so.  Boat stays in water and I haven't been able to pull it yet.  Could this be related to the previous repair since it wasn't leaking before?

Thanks

Answer 2

The oil sounds normal! There's a magnet that's supposed to catch normal metal chips.  It's the bottom plug.  It sounds like there's a leak and from what your saying its inside the bellows, or around the water pump (drive shaft) I'd take it to a service shop and have them both pressure and vacuum test the drive.  I'm pretty sure your drive will be ok.

Answer 3

You need to have the drive pressure tested by a tech to source out the leak.  My guess is the driveshaft seal, located under the waterpump, this is common.  Very small amounts of metal "dust" is normal, metal on metal does wear.  The only accurate way to diagnose this is with a pressure test.

Answer 4

Your drive will be fine,don't worry.You will probably find that you leak is in the upper drive shaft where it goes into the engine coupler.There is a large seal there and the easiest way to check it is to remove the lower

unit and if you find oil in the bellows.If yes then this is where it's leaking and you need to replace the seal.If there is no oil there then you will need to do a pressure and vacuum test. The small metal filings

on the drive s***w are normal and nothing to worry about.I hope this helps and good luck.