Proper Alpha One Lower

[ahasiec]

unit oil check...this is the first time I am going to be doing this, I have the manual in the boat as well...but figure I would ask here as well...

Proper way to check the Lower unit Oil and whether it is full?

Proper way to add oil if necessary?

Thanks again guys!

[TimT]

For older units, you could just open the vent screw at the top of the outdrive to check the level. Theres a screw just like it at the very bottom of the outdrive that serves as the drain. Used to be, you'd get a pump that pumps the oil from the quart container and pump until the fluid comes out of the top vent.

Now, on your boat, it's probably a bit different.
There is likely a reservoir on the engine. Look at the front of motor on the opposite side of the alternator. You'll see one of the easiest things to spot and access is a cube-shaped plastic tank. There's a minimum level and a maximum level on it.

When I drain my outdrive fluids out, I take the lid off of the reservoir and open the bottom drain screw. (I think I open the top vent screw, too.)

This will completely drain the whole thing. (Two quarts, tops.)

Then, for fill up, get the little pump and pump the fluid in at the bottom hole. When the fluid is high enough to come out of the top vent hole, put the screw in it. Now, you could keep pumping the fluid in the bottom for it to fill up the reservoir (keep a spotter up there), or you could just fill up the reservoir and let gravity run it's course, filling the line and topping off the outdrive.

Make sure the outdrive is in the down position.

[wild bill]

this might help ya.

http://www.mercstuff.com/driveoil.htm

[waterfoul]

If you feel the need to check it, simply change it. Call it preventive maintenance or cheap insurance.

What year is the drive?

[TONGA]

A lot of the newer alpha drives have a dipstick that looks like another vent screw in the very top of the drive. pulling this also will help the drive drain,just remember any water that has settled in your drive will be in the bottom, so if there is any doubt just dump her and change the lube.

[ahasiec]

It is a 1998 Alpha Drive on a SportCraft....

[waterfoul]

It is a 1998 Alpha Drive on a SportCraft....

do you have the reseviour bottle mounted in the engine compartment as described above??

[ahasiec]

Yeah there is a resovoir that says drive oil...right now it is at the full line....so I guess that means it is OK??

[TimT]

Yeah there is a resovoir that says drive oil...right now it is at the full line....so I guess that means it is OK??

Well, dog gone it, so much for the easy fix.:lol:

Full is full. Unless that sensor is bad, this is not the source of your beeping.

If (when) you go to drain it, lower the unit all the way for the reservoir to drain easily. It's going to take a while, so don't try doing this the night before you're planning on leaving for a fishing trip.

[waterfoul]

Full is good. If it were me, and if I had any hint of worry, I'd at least pull the lower plug and see if any water comes out. Water will come out first if there is any in there (oil floats on water). Remove the plug, see what comes out (I'd try this without removing the upper vent plug first). If it's clean, no sweat... but look at the end of the plug you just removed... it has a magnet on the end... is it full of shavings? A little is normal, chunks is not. If ok, put it back in and go fishing.