Lower unit cracked

[Gar]

My Yamaha 115 lower unit was cracked at the exhaust/propeller hub a few years ago during a hurricane. It was repaired by tapping three screws into the retainer ring. Now the retainer ring is cracked, and the housing crack has gotten bigger. Would the best solution now be to weld the crack? Can that be done without disassembling the lower unit, or will welding heat damage bearings, etc? Thanks for your advice. Gary

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Lower unit cracked

Gar<br />if it were me I'd be pulling that leg off, stripping it down and getting it welded. Best to do this before more extensive repairs are necessary!!<br /><br />but that's just me....

 

[JB]

Re: Lower unit cracked

Hey, Gar. Your best solution is to replace the foot. What year is your Yammy? I have a '92 Yammy 130 that has a good foot. The rest has bathed in salt water. A number of parts are salvagable and applicable to 115s of the same series.<br /><br />Oh, BTW the SS prop is also good. Interested?<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Lower unit cracked

Ditto JB<br /><br />Better off replacing than welding, especially if the parts are easily available! Gotta like that.<br /><br />

 

[Gar]

Re: Lower unit cracked

JB, Thanks for the help. My motor is a 92 Yamaha 115 TXRQ. You can email me at ghankins@yahoo.com with more info on the used foot you have available. I may be interested in it if welding doesn't seem like it will work. <br /><br />I take from some of your replies that welding the crack would not be a good solution. Is this because welding wouldn't be strong enough to hold up? The exhaust hub is a little out of round, due to the crack widening, and would also have to be brought back to form before welding.

 

[JB]

Re: Lower unit cracked

Hi, Gar. I think your foot would require some machine work after the welding, then would always have inconsistent stresses in the repaired casting that could be more trouble in the future.<br /><br />But, also, I want to be rid of this engine, and I see a possibility that you could put many parts of it to use. We would need to verify that the 115 and 130 are sisters. I will Email you some details and a picture or two in the morning.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Trent]

Re: Lower unit cracked

Weld it.. Iv seen a hundred if Iv seen one. Yammies (saltwater engines) tend to corroid around the bearing carrier and crack the lower. Its ok to use it since the oil is behind where the crack occurs. What you got to loose..

 

[Gar]

Re: Lower unit cracked

Trent, Thanks.<br />In your experience can I get away with welding it without removing the prop shaft and other inner works of the foot? What I'm talking about is basically the outer edge of the exhaust housing, which has probably an inch clearance to the shaft housing. I'm told taking everything out and reinstalling would be more expensive than buying a rebuilt lower unit. Gar.

 

[Trent]

Re: Lower unit cracked

Weld it no problem.. Take it to a prop shop..They weld them everyday.