Re: OMC Cobra Sterndrive lubricant
Hey Knudsen, <br /><br />Yeah, I did the same with Stuart's website info in case it ever disappears. It's such a pleasant surprise to find something like that, reminds me of the feeling I had as a kid when I 'd find a quarter in the pay phone slot. Actually, this site was also a great find for me as well. <br /><br />There is something fishy about your oil level and what the sales tech told you. Since he didn't change the outdrive oil, either he's not being honest about checking the level and it being full, or you somehow lost 24 ozs between the time he checked it and the time you did. And if he did check it, wouldn't he have noted the black color and passed on to you that you better look at it? hmmm...<br /><br />Seems like you're looking at a cost/ risk question right now. <br /><br />Question to SEAHORSE: if the bearings do go, is it likely that Knudsen will hear it and be able to shut the boat down before tearing up the gear case housing or damaging something in the lower gearcase? And, if Knudsen did have to replace the upper unit with a rebuilt one is it something he could handle without special tools or previous experience? (looking to get labor factor into the equation) <br /><br />With mine the outdrive started to scream, a VERY loud whining noise. No doubt that something was wrong. But that was with the oil level still down 24 oz. Once they refilled it (and before doing anything to fix it) there was a whining noise that hadn't been there before, but it was much more subdued. Unless you were familiar with the sound of the drive before the damage, one might not realize the new whine was abnormal. I put between 15 and 16 hours on the boat between the time the bearings went and when the other shop pulled the drive and realized the damage. Gears shot but no damage yet to the upper gearcase housing or anything in the lower gearcase. But the experienced shop that diagnosed the damage indicated that it would have just been a matter of time until I ruined the gearcase housing if I had kept driving it.<br /><br />Seems like the answer to my question to Seahorse might factor into your decision. If you pressure test & thats ok, are you likely looking at: <br />a)$600 now vs. risk of $1,200 for rebuilt upper unit that you can put in OR<br />b)$600 now vs. risk of $1,500 for rebuilt upper unit with core charge that you can put in OR<br />c) a) or b) plus labor charges OR<br />d)$600 now vs risk of cost of entire rebuit outdrive (with or without labor) <br /><br />Tough question, and sorry you got mixed up with that shop. I know how frustrating it is to deal with, shall we say, a 'less than fully scrupulus' dealer. From now on I'm either doing stuff myself or taking my boat to a repair shop 1.5 hours away that I trust.
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