Small metal particles on lower unit drain plug

[valdr]

'97 Johnson 200 hp Oceanrunner: I change the lower unit oil about twice a year. Every time when I remove the lower unit plug there would be a lot of small metal particles sticking to the plug, almost as a 'metal dust'. Motor is running fine and I never noticed any noices from the lower unit, except when running in reverse (sometimes there is a funny noice every 10 - 15 seconds in reverse). Is that 'metal dust' normal or should the lower unit be rebuild? Can I get some more mileage out of the motor/lower unit?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Small metal particles on lower unit drain plug

That's normal. If it looks like "Fuzz", then it's OK. When you get slivers and bigger, then it's time to investigate....

 

[valdr]

Re: Small metal particles on lower unit drain plug

Thanks, I do hear occationally noices when in reverse, like a clisking noice every 10 - 15 seconds. How difficult is it to remove lower unit and rebuilt? BTW its only 'fuzz'.

 

[angus63]

Re: Small metal particles on lower unit drain plug

Rebuilding a LU is not for the novice. I would verify your shift rod height and control cable setting to make sure you are fully engaging in fwd and rev first to see if the "clicking" goes away.<br />Good luck