lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

[pennyanman1]

A week ago, I had two incidents, back to back, of my engine "banging" which I'm now aware may have been the forward gear/clutch dogs slipping. It only happended twice and the motor ran fine afterwards. The motor has only about 150 hours since new and I never "lag" during shifting. I took the gearcase to a local dealer and was told the bill would be around $1400. He explained that my stainless prop puts an excessive load on the clutch dogs, and that is why it failed. He checked the magnet on the lower plug, which came up clean, and the gearlube is nice and clear, looks fresh in fact. He also checked the shift rod height which was perfect by his shop gauge. I'm changing the shift and throttle cables as a precaution, but I'm told that doesn't matter. When the unit is in gear, does cable tension have any influence? I'm thinking since the cables are 10 years old, and the fact that I tightend the thumbscrew on the shift cable two full turns tighter, with no change, that maybe I have a cable problem. Cable at $14.00 vs. lower unit rebuild at $1400.00. I'm PRAYING its' the cable!!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

The prop being ss has nothing to do with it. There are lots of motors running for lots of years with ss props and they're just fine. 1400 is more than a good used replacement would cost. If it were mine I'd sure have to think about this before turning over that kind of cash to this guy.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

SS prop?? I havent ever heard of that. You could buy a used rebuilt lu for well under 1400, youll have to weigh the costs. Sorry Dhadley, musta been typing at the same time.

 

[iwombat]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

Never heard anything like that SS bull-pucky either. I think I'd be spending my money with someone who actually knows what they're talking about.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

No problem HT. Looks like we're all thinking about the same.

 

[5150abf]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

I would have somebody else look at it, this guy sounds like a kook that needs $1400.
Another mechanic might find the actual problem and save you alot of time and money.
I have had a clutch dog that got rounded at the dogs and it did something similar but to replace the whole lower for a $100 part seems kinda nutts.
Thats my 2 cents.

 

[pennyanman1]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

Thanks for the feedback guys! Any takers on wether the cables make any difference? The other question has to do with gears themselves...I'm told they can only be replaced as complete sets. Can just the clutch dog and forward gear, along with the pinion gear, be replaced? The unit is tight with no leaks so can the main seals be reused, or should I bite the bullet...

 

[iwombat]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

Cables may help some. It depends on whether they were misadjusted to begin with and how worn the dog and gear are. If you can find them separate, there's no reason you can't replace just the dog, or dog and forward gear. I'd be surprised if the pinion needs replacement.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

Unhook the cables and shift it by hand. If it works then repalce the cables. If it jumped out of gear more than once the gears will probably need some attention. I believe the forward and pinion are a set. Changing the clutch dog is a given at that point. If it has to come apart you'll need new seals and O rings and gaskets.

Cut corners and skimp and you'll be doing this again -- after you have to walk home from somewhere. Can't (or don't want to) walk on water? Don't skimp. Think about safety.

 

[pennyanman1]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

I disconnected the cables, and everything seemed ok. The puzzle was that it happend twice within a hundred yards, then worked fine the rest of the day. I was in really heavy cross chop at the time. The cables are on order, and will be replaced. Anybody know of a REPUTABLE shop in the Long Island area, if the worst case turns out to be true? I'd rather avoid the guy I went to because of the stainless prop baloney.

 

[iwombat]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

I guess my real point with the last post is I doubt you'll need a reverse gear. I sort of got there a bit round-about.

Clutch dog and forward gear is what you'll be needing.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: lower unit troubles 1989 Evinrude 88SPL

OK, it shifted with the cables unhooked. Did you try it under a load or just on land? It needs to be tested under a load. I tend to agree with iwombat, you'll probably need some parts. Hopefully not, just don't cut corners if you do.