Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

JeffsAV

Seaman
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
59
I was inspecting my 1977 Johnson 70 HP prop today, and noticed some orange(rusty) debris inside the prop where it exhausts. The pieces are really small, like grains of sand to perhaps a partial grain of rice. They appeared to be stuck, like they had been there a while, since there was rust on them. I scraped them out, gathered them in my hand, and applied a magnet to them, they are magnetic. What would this indicate? :eek:
 

splitshot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
251
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

first thing i would do would be a compression test..if its in the exhaust it came from somewhere before the exhaust which is the cylinders..let us know what you find...
 

JeffsAV

Seaman
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
59
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

I do not have a compression tester. I also do not have the money to go to a mechanic. I know, I know, spend some now, save a lot later... I do not think it came from the engine anytime recently. The rust on it makes me think it has been there a long time. I had the boat on the water today...brrr...and it ran great. As soon as I can, I will do a compression test, just to make sure. Has anyone had these metal particles in their prop exhaust other than me?
 

JerrfyLube

Seaman
Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
53
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

Most autoparts stores will have a loaner compression gauge or one you can rent...id start there first.
 

splitshot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
251
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

if you dont have the $$ for a guage (i think they are around 25 dollars) definately rent one...the metal came from somewhere before the exhaust which leaves the motor let us know what you find
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

I bought a compression tester for $30 at autozone.
 

Mas

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
1,656
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

Maybe something small got sucked up through the carb and was spit out...if it runs great?? But like the others, I would want to know where it came from.

MAS
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

magnetic chunks <grain of rice. Not normal. But it's a guessing game where they came from. Stuck to the prop?? Hey, is it a stainless prop? Could be stuff from the casting process that has been there forever. Seems like anything that came from the powerhead would have shot right on through and not lay there and stick.

Just my guesses, worth every penny you paid for them.

BTW, I just now checked my stainless prop with a magnet--it's magnetic stainless.

You guys in cold country have too much time on your hands. Too much time to look for problems and worry.
 

nightstalker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 10, 2003
Messages
570
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

magnetic chunks <grain of rice. Not normal. But it's a guessing game where they came from. Stuck to the prop?? Hey, is it a stainless prop? Could be stuff from the casting process that has been there forever. Seems like anything that came from the powerhead would have shot right on through and not lay there and stick.

Just my guesses, worth every penny you paid for them.

BTW, I just now checked my stainless prop with a magnet--it's magnetic stainless.

You guys in cold country have too much time on your hands. Too much time to look for problems and worry.

I saw casting splinters on a prop once before. It could be that but a compression test will give you peace of mind.
Nightstalker
 

splitshot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
251
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

yep compression test is an easy way to know for sure :D
 

JeffsAV

Seaman
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
59
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

Since finding these chunks, I have changed the spark plugs. I found the same chunks in one spark plug. Here is the funny thing...the motor is running fantastic with the new plugs. The idle is smooth, the acceleration is swift. Am I missing something? Could this be possible with a cylinder that has broken rings or a detonated piston?
 

HybridMX6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 22, 2008
Messages
676
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

yep compression test is an easy way to know for sure :D

Have you tried this yet?
It sounds like it's fine if it's running so good, but ya never know. Little metal chunks are not good, no matter what/where they came from. Even if they somehow came from the fuel tank, passed through the fuel system and then into the cylinders, that still means there's little pieces of metal floating around your cylinder, slowly tearing it apart. You need to find out where they are coming from before using the motor any more. Better to be safe than sorry on this one.
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: Little metal chunks in prop exhaust?!

I was going to suggest it may be metallic sand sucked in by the water pump, but finding it on a plug sort of eliminates that.
 
Top