I have an alpha 1 outdrive with oil leaking out of the small drain hole>on the starboard side. Not the "oil" drain hole. This hole is a>smaller drain hole on the opposite side from the oil drain and vent>holes and toward the front of the outdrive.

I also have milky oil every time I check the level. I feel like annual> replacement of the oil and checking the level every time I put it in> the water will let me run safely indefinitely but how much should> professional replacement of all the seals cost? How about if I pull> the upper and lower unit off myself and bring it in?>

Chris>

Yes, I know it would be better to fix it now but... This is a 25 year>old boat that is only in the water a total of 10-20 hours a year.>Can't I just limp it along by checking the level before I put in in the>water every time and do a complete drain and refill at the end of the>season? This will cost me maybe $10 a year and probably keep me going>until this boat is too old to put in the water safely. I really love>the look and style of this boat and the engine runs great. But really>this oil leak is only one of many symptoms of age. It has a ton of>little problems like this that, if I had them all professionaly>repai­red, would cost more than I have invested in the boat. If I can>put $50-$60 a year to patch these little problems and make this boat>last me another 5 years, I'd be happy. I'm only asking for another 100>operating hours. That's why I asked how much to reseal the outdrive.>If it's $100, I'd go ahead and do it. If it's $500, I'll take my>chances and make sure to keep it topped off. Am I nuts?