Why did this happen

[bradleeson]

Bought a 16' Starcraft with a 1982 Evinrude 50hp. Replaced the plugs and the lower unit gear lube, and seals on the two bolts. Get to the lake, and she fires up beautifully. Get moving, switches into reverse and forward well. Top speed seemed really slow, but I figured that much just be the way it is?

After going awhile, I start to hear knocking; I turn to pull into a cove to check it out, and as I turn, CRUNCH, the lower unit just goes. Whining and grinding. Get back on kicker, and get her home, and of course little chunks of metal in the gear lube. Any idea why? Just happened to wear out? Water leaking in somewhere? It did not seem to have water in the lube when I drained it though?

Bummed, and Confused Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Why did this happen

what gear lube did you use. could be it just happened. motors do that.

 

[bradleeson]

Re: Why did this happen

Well I sure hope this was not the problem. I used a "Mercury Gear Lube Plus". It was that or wal-mart brand supertech. The guy at the dealer said that the Mercury Lube was completely exceptable, and that all the standards as the others. I asked again, do they just put their name on the product, or it is a proprietary blend. He said in no way is it propriety blend.

So I am hoping that was not it! What do you think?

 

[PW2]

Re: Why did this happen

Impossible to determine from the info given.

Did you fill the gear lube from the bottom drain, or the top?

 

[bradleeson]

Re: Why did this happen

From the bottom. When overflow came from the top, plugged the holes.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Why did this happen

you did everything right, not your fault. just a mature motor. you can rebuild or find a donor lower unit. http://www.boatmotors.com/motorparts/

 

[F_R]

Re: Why did this happen

Agreed, not your fault or oil brand. But that does illustrate the touchy subject of oil. If I had told you that Wal-Mart oil is good and this happened, you would be blaming that SOB on iboats for telling you it is OK.

BTW, Wal-Mart oil (and Mercury) really is OK.

 

[bradleeson]

Re: Why did this happen

Yeah I really did not think the oil was the problem. The guy I was talking with has never steered me wrong before.

Separate question to the same subject. Do you guys think the reason it was being such a dog was because the unit was on it's way out?

 

[F_R]

Re: Why did this happen

Very possible.