Metal shavings in Gear Lube

[chappy190]

How much metal shavings are normal to be collected on the magnet probe of the drain plug when changing the gear lube in an Alpha 1 gen 2 drive? Drive is 3 years old and lube has never been changed since new. About 120 hours on the drive? Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Metal shavings in Gear Lube

actual "Shavings", none. But if there is a small amount of black gunk on the end of the magnet, that is normal, shavings are not
Time to start keeping up with maintenance.
Gear lube should be changed every 100 hours or yearly (whichever comes first)
If yearly, the best time is during winterization. that way you don't have any water in your gear lube sitting all winter on bearings and gears causing rust.
Oh, there is also a lot of other maintenance items that need looked at like impellers, bellows, engine oil & filter. Lubing the prop, grease zirks.
Anything like that been done?

 

[chappy190]

Re: Metal shavings in Gear Lube

Yes, all that has been done now. Helped a friend change his impeller after doing mine last week and when we drained the gear lube, there were some metal shavings-ish sludge on the magnet probe of the plug. Guess we'll see if its there at the end of the season.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Metal shavings in Gear Lube

Fine powdery residue is normal. Tiny slivers are normal if it's a big boat, if using a stainless steel prop, or if the idle is too high. Now you know why ANNUAL!!! gearlube changes are recommended. Imagine how bearings like having those slivers running through them for years on end.