filings on outdrive drain plug normal?

[Dui]

Are fine filings normal on changing the lube oil? Just finished winterization on boat this weekend. I had very fine filings on magnet screw plug. Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[90stingray]

Re: filings on outdrive drain plug normal?

I have noticed some fine particals on mine. Basically dust when you grab with your fingers. What did the lube look like? What did the oil and plug look like last time you changed lube? Prolly all normal condition...

 

[achris]

Re: filings on outdrive drain plug normal?

Yes... Especially on a newish drive. If you are in the habit of 'easing' the drive into gear, even more so. If you do put it into gear slowly, DON'T! Dog clutches have 2 states, 'engaged' and 'not engaged'. The transition between those states should be as brief as possible. You should just drop it into gear, clunk..... I know it sounds a bit off putting to hear that, but that is the best sound with a dog clutch. Grrrrr is horrid for most people, but marine mechanics love it, it's the sound of money (and the edges getting taken off the teeth of the dog and the gear)!!! They know that you will be taking that gearbox in for a rebuild pretty quickly.....

Chris............

 

[Dui]

Re: filings on outdrive drain plug normal?

This is the first year I did it myself. Dealer did it the last couple of years. Oil looked good...no water or milk. Just a tinge of odour which I assume is normal. Colour was dark green.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: filings on outdrive drain plug normal?

As a life long aircraft mechanic (Big Jets) I've encountered my fair share of "Fuzz". Almost every part of the engines, drives, generators, APU's and turbine compressors have "chip detectors" the fine stuff is ok, slivers need to be watched and chunks are bad news.

 

[achris]

Re: filings on outdrive drain plug normal?

This is the first year I did it myself. Dealer did it the last couple of years. Oil looked good...no water or milk. Just a tinge of odour which I assume is normal. Colour was dark green.

All normal. On refill only use Quicksilver High-Performance Gear Lube. Any other oil will cause problems. It's dark blue before it's been in a drive for a while. The colour change is also normal....

Chris......

 

[Dui]

Re: filings on outdrive drain plug normal?

Thanks Chris. Yes I used Quicksilver. Thank you all for your help/responses.