Plastic in SEI lower unit?

[rodgeml1]

I replaced my prop this weekend to upsize to a 19P prop. When I pulled my old prop off, there was a hard piece of white plastic behind it. It was relatively flat though mangled, and approximately four inches long, two inches wide, and about 1/16" thick. The boat seemed to run ok on the water but the outdrive is VERY noisy now...especially when I turn the wheel and the outdrive is no longer in line with the centerline of the boat. My outdrive is an SEI replacement and is less than a year old. Is it possible this piece of plastic is from a broken part within the lower unit? I can't think of a way for it to have gotten in there past the prop otherwise. I would attach a picture but I took the piece with me on the boat to get my buddies opinion and his fiance saw fit to throw it in the water. :facepalm: Thanks in advance.

Engine: 1995 Mercruiser 4.3LX
Boat: 1994 Wellcraft Coastal 218

 

[Don S]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

It sounds like the filler wall came out of the upper. Have you had any overheats lately? That can cause them to warp and fall out.

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

It sounds like the filler wall came out of the upper. Have you had any overheats lately? That can cause them to warp and fall out.

Well, the time out before that I had the boat out and my throttle cable snapped. I pulled the control handle back and put the boat in neutral which caused the engine RPM to shoot up through the roof. I was able to run back to the engine compartment and manually lower the throttle within between 5 and 10 seconds of it revving up.

 

[Don S]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

I don't know if that would do it or not. Never ran one at 10,000+ rpm before,

Why didn't you just shut the engine off?

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

Why didn't you just shut the engine off?

Just wasn't the first thing that came mind. But in hindsight.....

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

Ok, I did some looking around and found another piece of plastic on behind my prop in the lower unit. It appears to be the other side of the piece that I found earlier. I can't see how it's possible that this isn't part of the assembly.....but I can't find any evidence of what purpose it serves. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

Ok, I did some looking around and found another piece of plastic on behind my prop in the lower unit. It appears to be the other side of the piece that I found earlier. I can't see how it's possible that this isn't part of the assembly.....but I can't find any evidence of what purpose it serves. Anyone have any ideas?

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Ayuh,.... That motor/ drive has been run without water flowin' through it,...

that is part of the water pump assembly,...

Pull the lower unit, 'n yer gonna find more damage probably,...
enough to warrant a full water pump kit, 'n maybe more...

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

That was the only thing I could think of that it might be, but I've been on the water twice since I found the first piece and I didn't have any problem with the engine heating up....the temp stayed right where it should be. This outdrive was new when I installed it and I haven't run it without water...ever. I'm also not clear on what kind of migration path there might by from the water pump housing, past the gears to end up right behind the prop. I'll pull off the lower tomorrow and check it out.

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Plastic in SEI lower unit?

Ayuh,.... That motor/ drive has been run without water flowin' through it,...

that is part of the water pump assembly,...

Pull the lower unit, 'n yer gonna find more damage probably,...
enough to warrant a full water pump kit, 'n maybe more...

Well, I pulled the lower unit and found the entire water pump assembly to be intact.