Lower Unit Problem

[timfives]

All-

Yesterday on the water (first time this season) the lower unit came apart. Long story short after doing some fishing and lunch, i put her in reverse, ( a tad hard to shift) I lost reverse and had FWD, after putting it in FWD, the boat would move but had an intermittent banging. After stopping to evaluate the situation, i then lost FWD, but after a couple of tries it caught and we limping her to the dock, once on the trailer, we noticed that the starboard side of the lower unit bullet was bulging and cracked.

Once home I drained the oil, obviously it was more metal than oil, and with the crack in the housing i'll need a new lower unit.

I've been roaming the forum, and still have a couple of questions,

Notes: Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha 1 Gen 1 out drive

1. It looks like most people just replace the lower unit when this happens. Is there anything i should check in the upper?

2. Pressure Testing? Is this for the whole out drive? Is there a how to on this?

3. Any other considerations / recommendations i should consider given this situation?

Thank in advance

TF

 

[alldodge]

Re: Lower Unit Problem

Replacing the lower unit is where to start. The upper half will need to be disassembled, cleaned, inspected for wear/damage and reassembled. Drive shaft and u-joints well be inspected and or replaced during upper half inspection. Pressure testing is accomplished with the entire drive reassembled.

Check for engine alignment and check shift cables and boots. After all the you should be good to reinstall.