force 125hp dead lower unit

[findinghomer]

a friend of mine had his motor bind up recently, 125hp 1989. He discovered there was water in the gear case. So flushed it refilled with fresh oil and new seals. The lower unit freed up and ran great. Second time out, after launching he put it in gear and POP. Says it was pretty loud. Now when shifts in gear nothing but neutral. He hasn yanked lower unit it yet, so we have no idea what damage its sustained. Anyone have any idea what probably broke? Will it be rebuildable? Thanx in advance

 

[pnwboat]

Re: force 125hp dead lower unit

First make sure the cable and linkage/shift rod to the lower unit didn't come apart. If it is the lower unit, you really can't tell what's wrong until you take it apart. May be something simple but if it was "bound up" at one time, that may indicate a possible bearing seizure. Not a good sign. Drain the oil and look for metal flakes. Replacing with a used lower unit is often cheaper than re-building. Just depends on what is wrong with the unit and what kind of deal you can find on a used lower unit.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: force 125hp dead lower unit

Have to look. Drive shaft?

 

[findinghomer]

Re: force 125hp dead lower unit

ewww.. thats what im afraid of, drive shaft. he hasn had time to pull it off and look yet, im just trying to get a heads up on what it could be, and what to look for. when buying a used one, can it be bench tested? or what should we be looking for to be sure we are buying a good one and not just another broken one... thanks for your help guys.