Update on my lower unit repair (hit submerged object).

[ProcraftMike]

I had posted several weeks ago that I had hit something with my lower unit which had busted the skeg off, damaged the prop and bent the propshaft (twisted the splines also). My insurance covered it. I had a new skeg welded on during my fishing trip, so I would have a little piece of mind while using it until I got home. I took it the the local dealer to let them deal with the prop and propshaft. I got the motor back a few weeks ago. There seems to be a low rpm vibration in forward and reverse, but more noticable in forward (comes and goes every couple of seconds), but it disappears once you take it above idle. You can also hear a growling noise (hard to describe, almost like a bad wheel bearing on a car). You can feel the vibration in the floor of the boat, but the motor doesn't seem to move shake any different while doing this. If you spin the prop by hand in neutral, it spins freely with no drag or hang-ups. Apparently, the dealership replaced the propshaft, inspected the gears and bearings and re-used them, as they could find nothing wrong with them.

I took the boat back this morning to have them listen to it. They don't think it is anything with the lower unit (due to it going away above idle). He said my idle was a little lower and once I bump up the timing to increase the idle, everything should be fine. He also said the sound I hear could just be the exhaust components. He checked the propshaft play and said all was fine.

Should I be concerned here? Is the dealership just trying to cover their butt, since they did the original work? Should I take it somewhere else for an opinion? I really don't think I should have to pay for the inspection from someone else, as it is the result of insurance work? Should I pull the lower drain plug and check for metal? Thoughts....


Modified by ProcraftMike at 12:43 PM 6/7/2005

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

I can tell you that I have personally seen 3 motors that broke cranks within a month of when they had hit something causing damage to the lower units........

[ProcraftMike]

I'm not sure if that cheered me up . Anyway of telling if the crank has issues, besides taking it apart?

[toddgot5fish]

insurance wouldn't pay for a new lower unit..???
one thing i've learned , if you take a hard hit , replace the gears , its just a matter of time usually only 3-4 trips.

[ProcraftMike]

The dealer never approached my insurance with replacing the complete lower unit, just the repairs with the new propshaft. I have to think that they must know what they are doing, as they have been in business for quite some time . They tell me that they see these types of repairs all the time. I asked him this morning about the gears. He said that the gears are so hard, that they cannot get out of shape from a hit, without breaking and that the gears and bearings were inspected during teardown.

I have a week long Canadian fishing trip planned next month. If this thing comes apart then, I am going to be ticked!!

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

Mike, I partially agree with them on the gears being hard and breaking, BUT, they cannot visually inspect them for STRESS that was put on them by impact. As for the crank issue, that is another deal that alot of times, that you can tear it down, look at it, and still not detect it, as it might not have a crack, BUT, might be stressed at a certain point on it... Rusty or one of them can proebably help a little more on this issue...

[jrt966]

first off let me ask you where you took it/was it a small dealer in the crivitz area near twin bridge?please say it isnt so.sounds like the same thing that happened to me.the dealer just replace the prop shaft,seals and prop.had it back 3 times for repairs and still wasnt correct.finally bought another lower unit and took it a shop that knows what there doing.since your close to green bay i would take it to pamps outboard and have them look at it.talk to todd pamperia.

[ProcraftMike]

I took it to Valley Marine in Menasha. I believe the only other OMC dealer in the area is Dave's Sport and Marine out of Kaukauna.

[Lockjaw]

I locked one up tight on my 70HP OMC, and I would have sworn it was the powerhead, but it was the lower unit. I hunted up a replacement, I just did not trust my average marina to rebuild my lower unit after I saw it in pieces.

[ProcraftMike]

Rusty or CM, any comments here? I'm not sure what to do? Is it possible this new vibration has nothing to do with the lower unit repairs?

[RUSTY63]

I think I would pull the gearcase down and have a look at the bearing carrier and bearing in the nose of the gearcase, also I would look real close at the pinion gear, check it for cracks at the back of the teeth.

[ProcraftMike]

Thanks, John

If I do have a bad bearing or gearing that is not shimmed properly or it is out of alignment, how long does it normally take before you will get metal on the drain plug, or won't I be able to tell much by the drain plug material?

[RUSTY63]

3 to 6 months as a guess, that's about as long as they last.

It wont be metal on the drain plugs....

[Sprint 207]

Mike
I had a propshaft replaced in mine at Daves Sport and Marine. They replaced just the shaft and seals. Have had no problems and its been over a year.I ran my transom saver through the prop.Bent the shaft and wrecked my prop too. Just hope you have the same luck with your rebuild.

[SEAHORSE]

The fwd. and pinion gears should always be changed whenever a propshaft gets bent. As the shaft wobbles, the gears start to mesh tighter and looser as they rotate. Most of the time a tooth will shear off and damage the whole inside of the gearcase after a while.

The gear housing with a damaged skeg and/or propshaft could also be bent or "sprung". Bombardier recently came out with a special tool to determine if a gearcase is still usable.

Did the mechanic inspect the driveshaft splines for twisting or damage when he had the gearcase off? Also the splines that retain the pinion gear can be cracked or deformed.

[ProcraftMike]

Here's an update . I pulled the upper and lower plugs tonight and there is a lot more metal on them than there should be...not just fine dust either. There was a bunch more on the top plug than the bottom plug. There is definately something wrong here.

The oil that did come out was very dark, almost like used engine oil. Does Bomb even have a dark colored lower unit lube? I drained about an ounce into a can. You can see the metal particles on the bottom of the can if you tilt the can. I have probably an hour run time on the motor since the repair.

What do I do now? I definately don't want to take it back to the same outfit who did the work. I have lost complete confidence in them. They claim they inspected everything during the teardown ??? Am I best to call my insurance company first, since this was an insurance job.

[RUSTY63]

Mike, I would call the insurance company and let them know of your questions about the repair.

I would then talk with the dealer and make them aware of your questions.

[toddgot5fish]

Mike
sorry ,your having to go through this bro. sorry to say it has to happen once to learn. not to say the dealers can't fix a lower unit , but in my experience , its better to let a lower unit specialist take care of them or get a new one. if you end up getting pushed in a corner , there is a guy down here in Tenn that will treat you right, just have to send him the parts. or , last time i had to file a claim they paid around 1600 and Eddie sold me a very nice rebuilt complete for 1100. only guy i know that works on lower units for 99 plus parts.

[RUSTY63]

Todd, does Eddie have a web site?
If so.....post the addy.

If not....give the guys a phone number.

[toddgot5fish]

Eddie Pope 423-336-5618 tell him preacher sent you. i need my brownie points