2000 Evinrude 225 lower unit died. Rebuild or replace w/ SEI?

[BillR302]

2000 Evinrude 225 with standard RH lower. E225FPXSS SERIAL# G04856253

Yesterday my lower unit decided to give out a bit. Heard/felt a vibration and as I slowed the vibration and noise got worse. Headed home on 1 motor. Firing up the motor on hose in neutral, you can feel and hear the vibration at the bullet. Also there is a fine vibration (like bad bearings) when I turn the prop by hand.
Everything still works - but is noisy and vibrates, thus I don't know the extent of damage.


I have heard the OEM lowers on these were weak. Not 100% sure if this lower had ever been rebuilt by previous owner, but I think it was. I also heard the rebuild parts are now good quality.

My question is: rebuild or replace lower with an SEI replacement?

http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=90-306-B&Category_Code=JohnsonEvinrudeLowerUnit

I have read good and bad about either direction. I gotta say, not having to wait for rebuild process, easy direct bolt up and a 3 year warranty looks GREAT to me right now.

So what you guys think?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 2000 Evinrude 225 lower unit died. Rebuild or replace w/ SEI?

I would confirm that the gearcase is indeed damaged, then I'd probably go the SEI route. I haven't heard anything firsthand bad concerning the SEI OMC units.
Sounds like you have a twin outboard offshore boat. I'd go for reliability over saving a tiny bit of cash any day on that, particularly with street gas at $3.50 a gallon. A ruined day gets pretty expensive now.........When I had a twin I/O offshore boat ages ago, I bit the bullet and repowered after a while of "tinkering" with it. I did one side one year, then the other the next. You really didn't want too many problems happening 20- 50 miles out...

 

[BillR302]

Re: 2000 Evinrude 225 lower unit died. Rebuild or replace w/ SEI?

The lower unit is indeed tore up!
I assume I took out the gearset - LOTS and LOTS of shavings. Prop shaft will turn by had in neutral with some grinding. Drive shaft VERY difficult to turn in neutral and severe grinding. Put in gear and the only way the driveshaft would turn is with the motor, can not turn by hand. Seems to shift "ok" despite all the shavings. Looking on line - just the cost of a gear set exceeds the SEI cost. I assume the replacement parts available for rebuild are now better than the OEM parts that were deemed inferior back in 2000???

Not much of an offshore guy. Boat is used mostly for cruising local, going for lunch and swimming.

 

[1FASTLASER]

Re: 2000 Evinrude 225 lower unit died. Rebuild or replace w/ SEI?

I would put on a SEI unit and never look back. They r GREATT folks to deal with and stand behind there product 100%

 

[boobie]

Re: 2000 Evinrude 225 lower unit died. Rebuild or replace w/ SEI?

Agree, get the SEI unit and be done with it.