Leaking oil from out drive

[tonytav]

Hi guys,here's another one, over the winter replaced impeller on the alpha one gen 2 put on boat everything seemed fine. Ran boat on muffs a couple of times then a few days later saw a little trace of oil coming from the water intake, took back of brought to marina figured might need seals, marina calls few days later says that it's been holding pressure and vacuum and they can't find any problems. Bring home put back on boat 2 days later same problem. I will say that while installing oil gets everywhere,always struggle with that last inch while oil pours out from bottle in bilge ,friends say it can be all from that .debateing if I should take back to marina,tell them to do it anyway, or put in water see what happens . Thanks again Tony

 

[tony357]

drive shaft seal is leaking.

 

[BillK2632]

If it is holding pressure, then I would guess it is residual oil that you spilt while putting the drive on. The only place a drive will leak while sitting is the shift shaft seal or if you forgot the quad seal between the upper/lower - put with either of those it will not hold pressure. The other seals - oil seal under water pump, shaft seals usually only leak while the engine is running. Plus if you had much of a leak you would seen the gear lube bottle empty out pretty quick. Last year I did the same thing, spilt gear lube all over while I was putting the drive on, that last inch can take some persuasion and while you are doing it, the dribble valve is open and spilling oil - it get's all in the gasket and makes a bit of a mess. Doesn't hurt anything thing, but once you tighten up the drive, the oil squishes out and will slowly but surely drip out. I was certain I had a leak, I finally pulled the drive and cleaned it up and it quit. I surprised how much oil was all over the gasket etc. One way to prevent or at least limit the leaking is to pinch off the hose with vice grips.

 

[Bt Doctur]

There should be no issue simply pushing the drive on to with in a 1/4 inch or less is the engine alignment is good