How Much Damage If Lower Unit Case Box Is Open

[nitram79]

Hello again,

As I mentioned on another post I have going. I have found that lower unit gear case was not bolted shut and it came open. And so I used it 3 times without knowing. ( I know this because the outboard was not new as I accepted it as an exchange for another outboard that needed repairs but was told by (chinese storemen) that it couldnt be repaired. I finally found out when the shear pin broke and when repairing it I noticed that the gear case cover/face plate had popped out/open. When I looked inside I found gear case empty of oil with residue of salt water and basically starting to rust. So what I did was flush the gear case out with hot water which revealed sand, salt water, salt residue, rust and maybe a speckle of oil. I then wiped it dry as best I could with paper towels and it seemed to be pretty clean in there. So I closed up the gear case and bolted it shut then put gear oil in it and put prop back on. Is there anything else I should have done or will that do? And how much damage would that have done? I mean it still works so???

Thanks

Marty

 

[Bondo]

Re: How Much Damage If Lower Unit Case Box Is Open

Hello again,

As I mentioned on another post I have going. I have found that lower unit gear case was not bolted shut and it came open. And so I used it 3 times without knowing. ( I know this because the outboard was not new as I accepted it as an exchange for another outboard that needed repairs but was told by (chinese storemen) that it couldnt be repaired. I finally found out when the shear pin broke and when repairing it I noticed that the gear case cover/face plate had popped out/open. When I looked inside I found gear case empty of oil with residue of salt water and basically starting to rust. So what I did was flush the gear case out with hot water which revealed sand, salt water, salt residue, rust and maybe a speckle of oil. I then wiped it dry as best I could with paper towels and it seemed to be pretty clean in there. So I closed up the gear case and bolted it shut then put gear oil in it and put prop back on. Is there anything else I should have done or will that do? And how much damage would that have done?
I mean it still works so???

Thanks

Marty

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Run 'er til she pukes I guess....

Ya make No mention of just what motor yer talkin' 'bout....

 

[nitram79]

Re: How Much Damage If Lower Unit Case Box Is Open

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Run 'er til she pukes I guess....

Ya make No mention of just what motor yer talkin' 'bout....

sorry about that, i forgot because i put it in the other post and wrote this one straight after that one. its a cheap chinese brand from ebay called New Concept 2.3hp air cooled with centrifugal clutch.

 

[orbanp]

Re: How Much Damage If Lower Unit Case Box Is Open

Hello again,

...
When I looked inside I found gear case empty of oil with residue of salt water and basically starting to rust. So what I did was flush the gear case out with hot water which revealed sand, salt water, salt residue, rust and maybe a speckle of oil.
...

Marty

Hi Marty,

Generally speaking water and sand mixture is not a preferred lubricant for a gearcase ;-)
I would look at the bearing surfaces (you did not mention if it had roller and ball bearing and/or journal bearings). I would also look at the gear tooth surfaces, how they got affected.
If the surfaces are scored, scuffed, pitted, then probably component replacement would be a good idea depending on the damage. If they remained shiny and smooth, then they probably survived the ordeal.
Alternately, as you did, just close it up, fill it up with oil, and use it. Check on the oil quality after a short use. It will tell you how useable the gearcase remained. If the oil is full with foreign materials, like metal shaving, than that is not too good.

Good luck, Peter

 

[nitram79]

Re: How Much Damage If Lower Unit Case Box Is Open

Hi Peter,

I have no idea about the bearings. I only saw the gears and that reminded me of the inside of a fishing reel. I'm just gona do what you and Bond-o said and just run it and check the oil. I ran it in a bucket yesterday it it seemed fine. I have a spare lower unit i can use when this ones dies so i'm not to fussed. I was just hoping that what i did to it was enough short of replacing parts.

thanks
marty