frozen lower unit

[OtisLake]

I have a Honda 90 - I bought new- about four years ago. The dealer told me it was the last model to be sold with a Merc lower unit. (It is in storage or I would look for the model number). Well I screwed up big time.I made the mistake of changeing the lower unit oil in the spring and not checking it in the fall. I live in Maine and late fall while I was still useing the boat it froze one night. I didn't notice it and went out on the water and wondered why it wouldn't shift into reverse - I had only been traveling at wake speed. I quickly took it out of the water and found the retaining casting assembly just behind the prop was cracked at the upper bolt hole, showing an outward deflection. The main casting shows no sign of damage. I opened the drain and pure water came out. Can anybody tell me if it is repairable, or how to tell.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: frozen lower unit

Welcome to iboats. It sounds like you may have gotten lucky. If the water came out clear, you may be okay internally. If it was rusty, no such luck. If the threads didn't pull out of the housing, then you can probably get away with just replacing that broken bearing carrier. It probably is a Merc gearcase, but I can't guarantee it's the same part as one on a Merc (probably is).<br /><br />But now you have to consider, where did the water come from? You should probably replace all of the seals. As long as you're in there, replace the water pump impeller as well.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: frozen lower unit

hello<br /> if its a merc unit merc parts work<br /> dissasemble the unit and flush it wellto remove water and prevent rust. a carefulinspection of the bearing surfaces is in order. if all that broke was the proshaft bearing carrier your ok. a new carrier will be required. the carrier is the same one used on the 90 "big foot" design . its retained by two bolts and not the dreaded spanner nut. dont lose the 3 tiny balls from the shift dog when you revove the propshaft. this procedure will not require drive shaft removal unless the bearings are rusty. if you look closely all the part numbers inside will be merc numbers if its a merc case. later Hondas used a case very similar to merc but its not and not many parts will interchange. maybe Hondon can tell us when the change was made.