HELP!!! : Dropped Cotter Pin in Lower Unit Housing

[Tone2129]

So I found some line wrapped around the prop of my motor today before I hit the lake. Ok, no prob I figured it was from the lake that I was at last weekend. Take off the prop and everything and unwrap the line. No biggie. Put the prop back on, tighten the bolt, put the washer on and go to put the Cotter pin on and because my hands are greasy...dropped the pin. It went all the way down into the housing of the lower unit. I can see it but it is wedged down in there. No way to reach it....Help please.

Oh yeah, its a 1992 Johnson 200 GT


Modified by Tone2129 at 6:44 AM 11/8/2010

[gearcaseman]

You've dropped it into the area of the rear bearing carrier outer surface I assume. This is O.K. Water flushes this area anyway, so there is no cause for alarm.

[ChampioNman]

Try getting a pair of the telescoping fingers and reach down inside the housing and retrieve it.

[Tone2129]

So it is ok to run it? When I do the water will force it out?

[ChampioNman]

I would tuck the motor fully in (full trim down) and start the motor on muffs first to see if it gets pushed out. If the cotter pin isn't stainless you could get it out with a deep reach magnet. Or use the magic fingers.

[Tone2129]

I am pretty sure it is wedged. But I think it may be aluminum.

[ChampioNman]

Pull the lower unit and then pull the rear bearing carrier.

[Tone2129]

I honestly think that it will be fine because of the following:

1. no moving parts where its stuck.
2. no gears
3. it cant get into the gears because is all sealed up.

There is no way to get it out by "fishing" (no pun intended) for it. It is S.T.U.C.K.

[ChampioNman]

Well then there you go.

[Tone2129]

...unless anyone thinks it will be a horrible horrible idea?

[ChampioNman]

We've given you our suggestions/advise. You can only go from there.

[Bassmeister]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by gearcaseman &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">You've dropped it into the area of the rear bearing carrier outer surface I assume. This is O.K. Water flushes this area anyway, so there is no cause for alarm. </td></tr></table>
I'm gunna say this guy KNOWS what he's talking about, along with ChampionMan.............. Nothing to worry about...........

[Tone2129]

You guys ROCK!

[gearcaseman]

Thank you, We enjoy helping when we can. Rest easy on the cotter pin, it'll be O.K.