BIG Question Lower unit??? 90 hp force

[dankboater]

90 HP Force

So I bought a used lower unit a couple weeks ago and soon after buying it problems started to happen. First of all it overheates immediately the first time I put it in the water so I change the impeller and housing because it was oblong shaped housing. Well, the second time I take it out it overheats again. Same as before but I used my old impeller and housing so I thought maybe it was about to go anyway, so I got a new impeller, and housing and seal kit. So the third time I took it out it was going good at first but suddenly it went into neutral. Well after taking it apart and draining the gear oil, or should I say water I started seeing what kind of lower unit this was. Im not a mechanic but I watched the mechanic take it apart and he showed me how the upper berring in the gear case was bad...no berrings left, pinion teeth broken and the water pump base seal housing is bad.

So here is the question, Was the lower unit bad before I bought it? The guy I bought it from says the last time I changed my water pump the mechanics should have checked the seals on the pump. I know there was oil in the lower unit prior to taking it out the last time. But he is saying the lower unit failed because of a seal in the water pump base.

This is BS because I have had the boat in the water probably a total time of one hour. Should I try to get my money back from the shop that sold me the lower unit?

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: BIG Question Lower unit??? 90 hp force

I would.
If they tell you that they are not willing to at-least exchange the unit i would raise such a stink that they would wish they had never seen me before. Threaten to report them to the better business burro. If that doesn't work, stand out front of there place with a big sign telling people to talk to you before doing business with them. And i would stay there till they fix the situation to your satisfaction.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: BIG Question Lower unit??? 90 hp force

You can try to get your money back, or get an exchange unit, but I doubt it will happen. You will not like what I am going to say now but I call them as I see them.

Look: As I understand your post, you used a (used) drive shaft seal from your old lower on the new lower and it was bad or failed, letting the pump blow water down into the gearcase. Lower unit oil is an EXTREME PRESSURE lubricant. Water has almost no lubricating qualities. When a lot of water gets into the gearcase, displacing the oil, the gears and bearings will wear FAST. It is not inconceivable to have total damage in one hour running time.

It is an unfortunate situation, but, I know, if you were to return a lower unit like that to me, I would say, "Sorry, there is nothing I can do for you. You messed with it."

Unfortunately, in this case, there is a very good chance that the damage was caused by your actions.

However, if I misread and you used the torpedo shaped cover and seal that came with the lower unit and only changed the water pump upper housing---That's a different story. Then you may have an argument, however a lot of these parts are sold "as-is" with no recourse. If you bought it from a reputable marina, perhaps some haggling might get you some consideration. BUT, when you started changing parts, then any implied warranty would have been null and void.

If you bought it from an individual, you can try small claims court for 10 bucks application fee. But even there, even if you win, there is no guarantee of getting your money.

 

[dankboater]

Re: BIG Question Lower unit??? 90 hp force

Yeah, all I changed was the water pump. I used the lower unit I bought thinking it was in good working order. I think I might be screwed because I ran it for about an hour total between the water pump changes, but I will find out tomorrow.