Alpha 1- closed cooling ?

[wheatie]

The upper housing on my Mecury alpha 1 outdrive gets very hot
to the touch when on the hose at home. Have not checked out on the water due to the swim platform. I have a full system, freshwater-closed system.
It has been explained to me but also some conflicting responses when I asked if the lower unit has an active or inactive impeller/water pump. The water for the heat exchanger comes in throgh a supply pump drawing through the hull.
Can anyone clear this up for me? P.S. Water does come out a weep hole at the bottom of the drive. Is the heat from a bad bearing or normal?

Thanks

[STGRule]

I don't believe that any part of an outdrive should get very warm , never mind hot. But I haven't a better guess as to why.

[wheatie]

I just took the top plate off the upper housing. All looks good from what I could see. Plenty of oil around, bearings look good. I did see a water jacket around the backside that has bleeders that should spot water if it had a flow.
I put the muffs around the outdrive and water only poured out a cut water hose that must be dissabled due to the closed cooling setup.
So... does it sound like those jackets are not meant to recive a flow????
P.S. Also, no water comes out my exhaust.It bubbles out two openings at the base of the intermediate housing.

[Boat Doc']

What you are describing is normal. There is exhaust flowing thru the upper housing. When in the water the water serves as a heat synch. They make drive showers for high performance applications to cool the upper gearcase when underway. However they aren't needed for stock applications.

[wheatie]

Excellent reply, I can sleep better a night, Thanks!