metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

[tfret]

I drained the oil from my Alpha 1 outdrive today. I noticed that the vent and drain plug magnets looked fuzzy with metal. The oil had two seasons on it. Should I be alarmed by this, or is this normal? I have no idea how old the gear set is. It's a 1984 model boat but I don't know if the outdrive parts are original or not.

Also, I bought new plugs and gaskets to go back with, but they don't have magnets on them. Someone told me I have to glue the magnets onto the new plugs. Is that right?

Thanks!

 

[Dshow]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Why replace the old plugs, just use new washers. If you glued the magnet on, I'd be worried it would come off and then that chunk if metal would be in with the gears... I would say some metal on your magnet is normal (or they wouldn't put magnets there) but don't know how much is to much...

 

[dubs283]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

do you run a stainless prop??

normal for that

i wouldn't worry too much about it in either case - best to change the lube every season - it allows you to see for lube milkyness - a sign of leaking seals

 

[sethjon]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

I drained the oil from my Alpha 1 outdrive today. I noticed that the vent and drain plug magnets looked fuzzy with metal. The oil had two seasons on it. Should I be alarmed by this, or is this normal? I have no idea how old the gear set is. It's a 1984 model boat but I don't know if the outdrive parts are original or not.

Also, I bought new plugs and gaskets to go back with, but they don't have magnets on them. Someone told me I have to glue the magnets onto the new plugs. Is that right?

Thanks!

The gears are probably original but if you leave the oil in for 2 seasons you'll be replacing them sooner rather than later. The stuff on the magnets is not a good thing. Its metal shavings. Keep the oil clean and change it EACH season.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

If you rub that- fuzz - between your fingers, does it dissappear into a gray smear , almost as if it was, say, gray grease ? Or does it feel sharp , like metal filings , as though you had cut a bolt in half with a hacksaw ? And X2 on just replacing the washers on the fill and drain plugs. Unless the fuzzy ones are stripped or the slot is mangled ! NO WAY would I glue magnets on the new ones. Put a magnetic plug on the bottom[ fill / drain ] hole if you only have 1 good one. I would not take that persons advise on... well...much. But thats just me

 

[tfret]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Yes, I normally change the oil every season. I had some drive work done last year mid-season and the lube was changed then, so I didn't change it last year. I guess it really had 1.5 seasons on it. Anyway, I agree, it's an annual job and the guy I bought it from was who told me that, as well as spending the extra on the high performance merc lube. I don't skimp on maintenance. I'm chaning the plugs because they are old and the slots are getting worn out. I had a hard time getting one of them out. So maybe the original plugs had magnets and the aftermarket replacments don't. I guess the tip I got to glue magnets on was bogus.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Like I said if you have 1 good magnetic one, put it in thae bottom. You didnt answer the other questions, but maybe the fuzz is just from, the new whatever, you had done, breaking in...

 

[tfret]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

The "fuz" is more like hack saw dust. Yes, I do run a stainless steal prop, whatever that implys. I do have one good original plug, that I'll put on the bottom, and put the new plug without magnet on top. Thanks to all for the help.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

OK so you mean those filings are gritty, sharp, abrassive metal particles as opposed to gray greasy, smooth feeling... Hard to explain.. have you ever seen the residue in the bottom of a cars auto transmission pan ? Called babbit I believe,, Is it like that ? looks scary but is normal ?

 

[dubs283]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

normal for a stainless prop - don't worry about it, just change the lube every season and use the high performance gear lube - best stuff out there for your drive

 

[mikeneal]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Fuzz is normal, that's why their are magnets there, chunks are bad. Sounds fine, change the oil and run it! Oh, I wouldn't mess with gluing anything, it will be a disaster if comes loose and the right plugs are too easy to get, not worth the risk.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Something must be wrong with mine because the plug magnets are always clean and I run a stainless prop too.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Something must be wrong with mine because the plug magnets are always clean and I run a stainless prop too.

LMAO !! Sell it quick...

I too am wondering the reason why SS prop causes... um -fuzz. Dubs perhaps you could enlighten me/us.. I also run a SS on my 86 Alpha 1 and have only the SLIGHTEST bit of grey matter. [setting myself up with that comment] on my outdrive magnet every year. And it just feels like greese if I rub it between my fingers.... Dubs 283????

 

[dubs283]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

stainless props are heavier than aluminum and the blades have very liitle flex/give, therefore transferring more load back onto the bearings/gears

the metal fuzz is most likely from the rollers on the bearings and from the gear teeth - as the teeth make contact and slide against each other during rotation, with more force a slight amount may be "grinding" off, nothing to worry about, its just physics

you see the same fuzz on a fresh rebuild or new drive installation with aluminum props or when changing from aluminum to stainless props

best insurance is to run high perf gear lube

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Huh....Hmmmmmmmm....... I guess I can see some logic to that explaination....But..... ah........ ok......Thx for 'splainin it to me

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

Most fuzz after break-in is from the shift dogs...good 'ole hammer and chisel shifting i like to call it...

 

[dubs283]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

I guess I can see some logic to that explaination

if you have ever had a drive apart, you would see that the gear teeth are "shiny" as opposed to brand new, never run gear gear teeth which have a dull apperance to them

the shinyness is normal gear tooth wear - the only way to prevent it is to never run the drive

you can see this on your own alpha if you like - drain the gear lube and remove the top cap, you will see the normal tooth wear

be sure to retorque the top cap bolts to 20 lb/ft with perfect seal on the threads

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

if you have ever had a drive apart, you would see that the gear teeth are "shiny" as opposed to brand new, never run gear gear teeth which have a dull apperance to them

the shinyness is normal gear tooth wear - the only way to prevent it is to never run the drive

you can see this on your own alpha if you like - drain the gear lube and remove the top cap, you will see the normal tooth wear

be sure to retorque the top cap bolts to 20 lb/ft with perfect seal on the threads

Ok Skipper' I believe Ya ! He just had some work done on the drive so it very well could be break-in residue. I would hope for him Its not like that year after year. I am just comenting from my experience. I never see it on my magnetic plugs. Have owned my boat since 1990. 4.3 w Alpha 1 and has SS prop since day one. Gear oil is changed every year.

 

[zippoo]

Re: metal fuz on drain and vent plug magnets

I just changed outdive oil on my new SEI Alph I after the 10 HR breaking in. I found the fuzz on the magnets to. I am glad to hear this is normal the only problem I had was that is seem hard to get the plugs back in you had to make sure you did not cross thread them. I then took the boat back out and put another 15 hrs on it that weekend with no problem at all.