Crack in lower unit housing

[postjim508]

I have recently noticed a hairline crack in the fin (parallel to the water) at the top of my Alpha II. It runs from the trim tab anode toward the main housing. It isn't causing a lube leak. No water in lube, no lube leaking.

Has this happened to anyone else? The drive is 5 years old and has 190 hours on it. I'm pretty compulsive about my boat; could this be a defect that I hadn't noticed? Could hitting lake debris cause it?

Can this be welded? I thought about taking it to my prop guy and having him look at it.

JP

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Crack in lower unit housing

In all likliehood, yes you did hit bottom.
Yes it can be welded. Best place is a prop fix shop.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Crack in lower unit housing

If the crack is near the anti-cavitation plate, a strike should be evident. Is there any metal missing? A picture would help in diagnosing the problem.

 

[postjim508]

Re: Crack in lower unit housing

I need to learn technical names for stuff. I am attaching a picture taken from the top. I believe this is the anti-cavitation plate. The anode is directly under what you see in the picture.

By the way, I noticed a post about cadets not responding with results or anything when help is offered. I hope I'm not one of those because I really appreciate the help.

JP

 

[postjim508]

Re: Crack in lower unit housing

Pictures


From the top:

From the bottom:

 

[Don S]

Re: Crack in lower unit housing

It's kind of hard to tell with pictures that big, but it looks more like someone stood on the cavitation plate and broke it. If you look at the top photo, the plate itself is bent down. A log stuck between the prop and the cavitation plate will bend it up and break it off usually. Along with a lot of prop damage.
But welding it shouldn't be a problem with a weld shop used to doing outdrive repairs.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Crack in lower unit housing

What about this?