How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

[jh47828]

Last time I was at Bay Marina, the TECH told me to start changing the foot oil 2-3 times a summer because of high usage. He said I had carbon building up on the gears. I was wondering if anyone know of an additive that can be used in the lower unit oil/grease that will remove carbon on the gears. I have used SeaFoam for the carbs/engine, but do not know of a product for the lower unit gearcase. If there is a product -- what is it and at what radio (32oz.). If there is not a product--why not? New market?

 

[Grub54891]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Carbon on the gears inside the case? Never heard of that one! How high is the usage,hours? We service many drives that get a lot of use,change the lube in the fall before storage,done.
Have him explain it in writing,post what it means to get carbon on the gears,post it here so I can attempt to understand what he said.

Grub

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Carbon Build-up?? Sorry but that really is not possible.

If the wrong oil was used or if the gears are not meshing properly .....they might change color.

OR

Is he talking about cleaning the carbon out of the exhaust tube and mid section?? That is just good old scrubbing. On a 2 stroke it is fairly easy to do and a can of carb cleaner will help but it is messy. I do have experience cleaning carbon out of a small 4 stroke mercury motor that had allot of trolling time. The exhaust deposits actually were building and clogging.

 

[WernerF]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Does your Tech mean gear oil getting black when used heavily?
This happens, but is of no consequence as long as the gear oil doesn't smell burnt.

 

[boobie]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Maybe you should find another tech ??

 

[nwcove]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

you should ask the tech if going up one heat range on the fill and vent plugs will reduce the carbon build up?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

JH, I am with boobie on this one. An OB gearcase is a lot like a simple automotive manual transmission. They use about the same weight gear oil. The oil in the trans, never needs to be changed, or sometimes at 50K miles or so. Because there is no combustion prodicts reaching it, it stays clean. Good gear oil almost never breaks down.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Maybe you should find another tech ??

+1. Sounds like he's trying to up sell you big time. There's nothing wrong with changing the oil, but you don't need to and there's no "carbon build up" that can take place in the gear case either.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Additionally, we change the gear oil every season mostly to make sure there is no water in it.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

you should ask the tech if going up one heat range on the fill and vent plugs will reduce the carbon build up?

Can I use that? Funny!:facepalm::lol:

 

[nwcove]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Can I use that? Funny!:facepalm::lol:

eep: lol

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Wow carbon build up in the gearcase.
ask your technician if this carbon build up in the gearbox is due to the giggling pin rubbing against the laughing shaft.

please post the name of the guy who told you this, he realy deserves a mention here if its true he said that.


on a serious note
are you sure he dint say "change gear oil 2-3 times due to corrosion on the gears " ?
that could be possible due to water leaking in past the seals causing rust/corrosion. !!!!!

but carbon is only produced when the fuel/oil is burnt/unburnt at extremely high temperatures, temps that would melt the
gearbox casing for sure.


phill

 

[jh47828]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

I use Evinrude Johnson HPF PRO. I have had a boat for 30 years and always performed minor maintenance like plugs, foot oil, VRO2 replacement, oil pickup replacement, etc... I have always change the foot oil at the time of winterizing. About three years ago I retired and live on the lake spring-summer-fall (7-8 months a year). Last year I found out why not to throw old fishing line in the water -- especially at your honey hole. I fish almost every day 5-8 hours a day. It's a rough life, but someone has to do it. I did not want to spend the money on the barring carrier puller tool, so i took her to the marina for the first time.

The tech asked me if i wanted him to check the gears while he was in there -- i said sure. He came back and said that the gears were ok, but were black and had a lot of carbon build up on them. He said i need to change the foot oil 2-3 time a season because of usage. He also told me to put the boat in gear fast not slow.

If carbon build up is from heat and oil, why is so difficult to think that could occur at the gears. Just trying to learn something.

I don't throw fishing line in the water anymore!!!!!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

Carbon Buildup is from combustion of gasoline and oil. Is any of that going on inside your sealed gearcase? If you want to change your gear oil a few times per season, it will not hurt. Of course if there is no water in the gear oil, it is unnecessary.

Shifting into gear smootly and positively is a good idea. It keeps wear down on the shift dog.

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: How to decarbonize the lower unit gearcase

if you managed to get carbon from the gear oil then your aluminium gearbox would melt.
it cannot happen unless its created by fire.


phill