gear lube plug screws

[imported_wildcat]

I changed my gear lube this past weekend for the first time on my Alpha 1 Gen II and noticed that the lower plug screw had a short spindle on the end. The upper vent screw did not. Why does the lower gear lube drain plug screw have this spindle extending into the sterndrive.<br /><br />I am a newbie and just wanted to know reason.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: gear lube plug screws

It is magnetic and attracts metal shavings from your gears. If it was clean, you are in great shape. A very small amount of particles is fairly normal. The magnet helps keep these particles out of the gears. It also helps you determine the condition of your lower unit.

 

[hoot]

Re: gear lube plug screws

could this be a magnet? some oil drain plug are made to catch ferrous metallic particles.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: gear lube plug screws

Wildcat1<br />What engine is your Alpha 1 Gen II mated with?<br />I have the same drive and was wondering if you have the 3.0 or 4.3 possibly

 

[imported_wildcat]

Re: gear lube plug screws

Sea Ray Steve,<br />I have the 5.0L MPI 260hp with Alpha I Gen II sterndrive. Single point drain with oil drain hose.<br /><br />sangerwaker, thanks for the response. I have a brand new sterndrive with 20 hours. It had just a couple miniscule metal particles attached to the lower gear lube plug. Should I contact the dealer for warranty concerns?

 

[SteveRay]

Re: gear lube plug screws

Wildcat.....If you don't mind me asking. Where did you get your sterndrive and how much?<br />Remanufactured or OEM ?

 

[tommays]

Re: gear lube plug screws

wild <br />when you refilled and put in the vent plug did you pump some more oil until the reserve tank level went up<br /><br />it gets all the air out of the upper<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: gear lube plug screws

Gears are always wearing SOME, as any moving part is. Miniscule particles probably mean nothing. I would not worry about it.

 

[achris]

Re: gear lube plug screws

Those particles are not from the gear teeth. If they were you would have all sorts of problems. They are from the edges of the dog clutch. As you go into gear the edges smash against each other until they lock up. That's why you should always push the shift lever into gear 'quickly'. That horrible grating sound (when people 'ease' it into gear) is the sound of metal being shaved off the edges of the dog clutch.<br /><br />$0.02<br /><br />Chris.........

 

[imported_wildcat]

Re: gear lube plug screws

Tommays,<br />I did pump the gear oil in correctly. I pumped till it came out the upper vent plug. Installed the upper vent plug and then pumped until it came up to the add mark in the container. I sure was glad that I did because when I removed the pump, the gear oil came out quicker than I expected.<br /><br />Sea Ray Steve,<br />The sterndrive came with the new boat.<br /><br />Sangerwaker and achris,<br />Thanks for the response.