Typical corrosion on lower unit?

[amp381]

I've never seen this before on an outboard. Should I be concerned about buying this engine? Is this a tell tale sign of something? It's a 1979 Evinrude 115. Any idea why it appears so corroded at the water line?

 

[southkogs]

Initial thought:

Looks like the outboard was kept in at the dock, lowered into the water. BUT, it also looks like the lower has been replaced.

My concern is how much you'd be paying vs. how well the engine is working. It looks like it's been kinda' rebuilt, which may not be bad. But I wouldn't be paying a ton for a 40 year old outboard that's been run hard and then rebuilt.

Welcome aboard.

 

[MTboatguy]

That is not the original lower unit on it, I would check the oil in the lower unit and the price would have to be very reasonable for a motor that looks like it was stored in the water.

 

[ahicks]

No, not normal. Is this boat kept in salt water? Even if it was, I would suspect corrosion like that might be traced to a local electrical issue of some sort. What kind of shape are the anodes in? If they were allowed to deteriorate to nothing without being replaced as necessary, that wouldn't help a darn thing.

I would be concerned, would not likely trust something that looked like this.

 

[amp381]

Thanks for the welcome!

I don't know the history of the motor but I'm going to ask when I go take a look at it. I've read about lower units sometimes getting corroded by stray voltage from the boat itself or the dock.

Is there a way for me to check the oil in the lower unit without actually replacing it?

If the anodes were allowed to wear without being replaced would this account for the look of it? And similarly, would it allow the corrosion to reach the gears, or no because it is sealed?

 

[amp381]

Oh, and one last thing. For the record, I'm more interested about the boat it's on, not necessarily the motor. If I do purchase, it'll have to be the motor for the time being. I've owned 80's and 90's outboards, and they all ran great with care. But this would be particularly old for my taste. But does it really matter, so long as the compression is good and pasts a lake test?

 

[southkogs]

Do a little reading HERE

I'm not really afraid of the age. More afraid of any abuse or patchwork. If they put a completely rebuilt/remanufactured lower unit on, then that could be a plus. If they found a used one that was working and put it on, that's a different tale. If the combo is inexpensive, then maybe it's no issue.

If he's asking a wad for a cool boat with a big outboard on it ... I'd be skeptical.

 

[Texasmark]

Best if the engine hasn't been run for a couple of days.......with the engine vertical, not as shown, carefully remove the drain plug on the bottom of the gear box bulge on the LU. Check that NO water comes out first then when the oil comes out it looks clear....obviously will be tinted with an OEM oil dye, but won't be brown to bright yellow.....anything in that color range is a NO GO. Then check the magnet on the drain plug for excessive metallic shaving buildup....usually there will be a few to a thin, single later coat, but no blobs which would indicate gear tooth wear which would get into the bearings and cause bearing wear.....another no go.

Would be good to test the PTT unit on the water ensuring that the trim will trim against WOT prop thrust. IF you can't do that have the heaviest person handy get atop the whales tale and have somebody push the trim up button and ensure it will take you up.

On sitting at a marina I'll take fresh or brackish water.....probably reason for the LU swap. If salt water would expect to see barnacles.....either way cause for alarm......get it free or walk away expecting to spend some bucks on the LU.....used LUs sell fro like 1500 bucks rebuilt and warranted on ebay if iboats doesn't have any.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

If it is the boat that you want then the 40 year old OB won't be an issue. Electrolysis is the scabbing you see. I have no idea why someone would leave the lower end in any water, salt, brackish or fresh. Unless they have a trim problem but they trimmed it enough to put the transom saver on. Maybe that is max trim, check that. Good advice above. Bad LE oil will have milky streaks in it as well.

 

[amp381]

You all have been incredibly helpful. I'm going to take this information with me. Thanks for taking the time to help a new member to the forum!

 

[crazy charlie]

I would not be interested in an outboard that was not tilted out of the water and left down for what looks like a very long time.this is an indication of the lack of care this owner took and the lower probably needed to be replaced because it was left submerged