2002 Johnson 90hp Metal Filings on Lower Unit Upper Plug

[Snowfish]

2002 Johnson 90hp

Motor runs & shifts great. Been fishing all summer.

I have concerns about the metal filings on the Upper magnetic drain/vent plug

Lower drain plug has some, but not as much as the upper.

Images are from when we first got the boat.
Checked again the other day and some filings were present, but not as many.

Give me the bad news.
Or is this common from shifting forward to reverse?

None of my other boats have had magnet drain & vent plugs. So I have nothing to compare to.

Running Amsoil lower unit lube for the past 4+ months.

 

[racerone]

I do not consider these lower units to be as robust as previous versions.-----If I owned that motor it would be apart in less than 1 hr for a complete inspection.----Others will argue that approach !!

 

[Bobbywolf]

The metal is coming from somewhere. Either a bearing letting go, or poor meshing of the bottom end gears. Could be the shift dogs too in the foot.

Disassembly is required for further investigation.