Major shavings in omc cobra!

[tfitch03]

I changed my sterndrive gear oil today and on the middle and lower drain plug magnets I had MAJOR shavings (even a pretty good chunk of metal). I know some metal dust is ok but I think this may be excessive. Anyone have any insite on if this is normal or not?

History: I changed the fluid 2 years ago and didnt fill it up all the way because I had bad directions from the boat shop, anyway I think we all know what's coming....cruising along at 30mph a bearing seized and stopped the motor and me dead in my tracks. I took the boat to a local boat mechanic to get the sterndrive rebuilt and paid a pretty penny for it. Ever since then something in my gut has given me the feeling that he only replaced the seized bearing and sent me on my way. Took my $2k and didnt rebuild the unit as he claims he did. Could this be an explination of the excessive shavings? All summer long the unit has been a little noisier too, I thought it may be the gimbal bearing or u-joints so I was going to check them out next but petered out after the fluid change. PLEASE ADVISE!

I am very mechanical but there is no way I am tearing into an outdrive. Who even works on OMC's anymore?

Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

It's probably the hard facing on the gears coming off. Obviously the bearings are shot again.

Maybe it's time to convert the Cobra to either the Alpha I Gen II or the Volvo SX (a lot more expensive)

SEI makes a conversion kit Sterndrive Engineering: Conversion kit

 

[tfitch03]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

Thanks Don! I will take a look at those conversions. Once I take the drive off I can complete a detailed inspection and hopefully gain a better understanding of where I am heading with this.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

Thanks Don! I will take a look at those conversions. Once I take the drive off I can complete a detailed inspection and hopefully gain a better understanding of where I am heading with this.

Howdy,


I would say you're heading for another either replacement or rebuilt drive.

Now would be a good time to do the SEI conversion. It won't be much more (if not a little less) than the 2K you paid for your previous "rebuild"

Welcome to the "club"! When my brother owned my FourWinns boat and it had the previously installed King Cobra, he took it to a dealer that did exactly the same thing. (re-filled the drive from the bottom drain.) It of course made it about halfway around the lake before it seized! luckily, the "dealer" replaced the drive without any "lawyering" up.

Another "Dealer" a few years earlier had not even bothered to fill the drive at all after "servicing" it!! and it didn't even make it halfway around the lake

You're in good company!:facepalm::blue:




Sorry about that,



Rick

 

[HorizonblueDK]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

You mention that the outdrive was noisier all summer long.

I suspect that the guy who has rebuilt/changed the bearing, didn't check the gear contact pattern/shimmed the gears correctly, when he assembled the outdrive.

This will definitely explain the noise. Bevel cut gears will sing, if they are not shimmed correctly.

The shavings, hmm, I suspect the same reason for that.

 

[tfitch03]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

I appreciate everyone's feedback. Not surprisingly the mechanic that serviced the drive after the seized bearing is no longer in business. I have decided to send my unit off this spring for a complete rebuild by a REPUTABLE shop.

I hate to spend the money all over again but; the boat is no fun during the summer sitting in the back yard. That leaves me with a few months to figure out how to tell the little woman I am spending her shopping money on my hobby all over again. :encouragement:

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

you should take the advice above and do the SEI conversion. Then you'll have a 3 year no-questions-asked no-fault warranty on your drive.

sell that "rebuildable Cobra core" to someone that hasn't heard about SEI, to offset your costs. You'll probably get $700 for it, making the SEI conversion cheaper or the same money.

If you ever sell your boat, your ad will say "Alpha One" drive and you will actually get inquiries.

 

[tfitch03]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

I never considered doing the conversion and selling my core to recoup some of the costs. I was just figuring for the total cost of conversion. I think I will do the SEI conversion now! I gotta say I feel much better about this whole situation now. Assuming I can sell my Cobra, I will end up with a better unit for less money. Thanks again!

 

[Don S]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

I can't imagine sending it off and getting all new gears and bearing, shimmed properly and warranted, could ever be less expensive than the conversion.
People don't by Cobra drives because OMC went out of business in 98, a the people with the tools to rebuild them is drying up.

With the Conversion, you have the most common and popular drives in the world.

 

[boobie]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

I just read this whole thread. All I can say is, go SEI !!

 

[MRS]

Re: Major shavings in omc cobra!

If you get the conversion kit can you use a real Alpha I Gen II unit? Instead of the SEI unit just a thought.