Bad outboard lower units can give the operator shifting issues, and other signs will include
water in the gear lube, metallic particles on the drain screw magnet, clunking sounds when shifted, or the loss of the ability to shift into gears
.
How much does it cost to rebuild a lower unit?
A typical set of parts for the gearcase can cost $500-600 and may go higher if the gearcase is severely damaged. If you have your local mechanic repair the lower unit, his labor will run about
$300-400
for this type of repair.
How much does it cost to rebuild an outboard lower unit?
Rebuilding your engine will cost
around $2,500
. That difference of $1,000 to $2,000 will buy a lot of gas, so consider carefully.
Why does my outboard motor jump out of gear?
If your motor is jumping out of gear then
your clutch dog and your engagement points on your forward gear are worn out
. To fix this you will need to drop the lower unit, tear her down and replace the clutch dog and forward gear Then reseal her, you are not likely to like the price of this at all!
What causes lower unit failure?
Just random failures due to
normal wear and tear
. Wear and tear over time. Fishing line around prop shaft damaging seal and allowing gear lube to leak out or water to get in. Impact when a propeller hits bottom.
How does water get into lower unit?
You have seals on both sides of your water pump
. You can have a warped lower unit which will allow water to seep in; even with new seals. You can have a touch or roughness on a seal seat that doesn't let a seal seal. Take the lower unit to a “good” dealer and have them go through your lower unit.
Why is my lower unit oil milky?
That milky color and consistency is
most likely due to water intrusion
. It will not break down from use and get lighter, like other oils as it breaks down and gets used it darkens. Time to change seals and when you do your water pump do the whole kit and not just the impeller.
Should I leave my outboard motor up or down?
It's best to
tilt your outboard up
when leaving your boat in the water to prevent marine growth from forming and from corrosion eating away at its metal parts.
Can you run an outboard motor without the lower unit?
No problem
. Either use the flush fitting or use a piece of hose connected with a hose clamp to the water tube. As noted, on an HPDI a hose can be attached to the water pump tube in which case the motor can be run.
How much does a new powerhead cost?
Going price for a Merc 200 hp Rebuilt powerhead on Scream and Fly is from
$1500 to $2500
, plus you will have probably $200-$300 in shipping.
How long does a rebuilt outboard last?
How Long Does A Rebuilt Boat Engine Last? Several outboards motor organizations estimate that machines take between 1,500 hours and 3,500 hours to run. An owner who averages 200 hours out of his boat a year, the motor would last
between seven and eight years on average
.
Are rebuilt outboards reliable?
When finished, a rebuilt outboard engine can be reliable
. The skill of the rebuilder and the quality of the components used will really determine the outcome. The quality of the original design and manufacturing will also influence the rebuilt engine reliability.
What makes a boat motor slip?
There are many factors that affect prop slip including the actual pitch of the propeller, the condition of the propeller, the design of the hull, the condition of the bottom of the craft, additional weight on the craft, distribution of weight, height the engine is mounted at, engine trim angle and setback, jack plate …
What does a spun Prop look like?
Why is my boat slow?
Have you checked your propeller for debris? It's not uncommon for fishing line, rope, seaweed or other debris to entangle itself around the blade
, restricting it's normal movement. Cutting away any entangled debris such as this should solve your problem. Another possible cause is an air leak in the fuel line.
How often should you change lower unit oil?
Most sterndrive and outboard manufacturers advise you to change the gearcase oil in your lower unit
every 100 hours or once a year
(whichever comes first). Clean oil is critical for protecting the heavily loaded gears in your lower unit and preventing expensive damage.
How do you break in a new Yamaha lower unit?
How do you know if you spun a hub?
To tell if your hub has spun,
mark a line on the back of the prop hub with lipstick
. You can also score your mark using a file. With the mark in place over the inner and outer hub, it's a simple matter to pull the prop and see if the mark has broken in two. If it has, you have spun a hub.
What happens if water gets in lower unit oil?
You have to change that oil and find out were it is leaking,
If the problem is not address the water will ruin the lower unit gears
, (drain the oil/water mix and put fresh oil back in). The lower unit needs to come off the engine, the water pump seals and area need to be checked so have your pump changed/replaced.
Can you overfill lower unit oil?
you shouldn't be able to overfill lower unit oil
.
How do you pressure test a lower unit?
Why is my lower unit oil black?
The black lube and burnt smell,
just means overdue
. Nothing worse then the smell of burnt lower unit fluid,cause of a gear failure.It used to clean a few guys out of our shop. Biggest thing to look for is metal shavings or evidence of water.
What color should lower unit oil be?
What Color Should Lower Unit Gear Oil Be?
Brand new gear oil should be a shade of blue, green, brown, or yellow
, depending on the brand. Used gear oil should be a black/dark variation of the brand new color. Knowing what these colors mean and also the other colors you will encounter is important.
What kind of oil goes in a lower unit?
You can use
any brand of lubricant that has a grade designation of API GL5 SAE 80 or 90 weight
. Make sure you do not mix different oil brands or weights. into the BOTTOM drain hole. Then slowly squeeze the bottle to force the oil into the lower unit.
Why should a boat gas tank never be full?
It's important to never fill the tank of your boat beyond 90% full. This
leaves room for gas to expand and avoids the potential for overflow
. Ensure that all air vents and valves to the gas tank are open. After you're done fueling, tightly replace the gas cap.
How should an outboard sit on a boat?
Is it OK to leave an outboard in the water?
It isn't going to hurt anything leaving it in the water in the down position, or trimmed up
. This is all personal preference, but if you are going to let the boat sit for a week or two. Well, then in this case it is best to trim the engine up out of the water to avoid that growth issue we talked about earlier.
