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Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 9:07 am
by bayscotter
I'm new to this stuff and could use some help.I just had my optimax 115 serviced. I ran it for about 3 hours with no issues. The dealer said to check the lower unit oil since they found some metal shavings. I took out the drain plug and got this (see pic). I did NOT drain all the way. The brown oil came from the unit while the blue green oil is new quiksilver high performance lube straight from the bottle. Unsure what lube was placed in the unit. Water in lower unit? Seals? Are there different oil colors? I just want to fish. Thanks in advance.

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 9:18 am
by MT
So they "serviced" your motor and told YOU to check the lower unit cuz there might be a problem? Sounds like BS to me. 1st step is find a mechanic you can trust and have him tell you when it's safe to run that motor. I can't tell much from the pic but there appears to be 2 fluids that don't mix like say... oil and water. I hope not but you need to find someone that can tell you for sure.

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 7:46 pm
by Letsinger
On the upper and lower drain plugs there should be gaskets to form a water tight
seal.
http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/ ... 1b2166becc

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 8:11 pm
by Fred Fullerton
Hey bud if you are near Dixon go to gone fishin marine they are a merc dealer, Mark and company will get you fixed

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 8:25 pm
by aNNieNsaLTIE
I ain't no pro, but if there was water in your lower unit, I hear that is a big no no!!!!!

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 9:13 pm
by lil nitro
Fred Fullerton wrote:Hey bud if you are near Dixon go to gone fishin marine they are a merc dealer, Mark and company will get you fixed
I had them rebuild my lower unit last summer. I suggest u take it somewhere else.

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Sun May 05, 2013 10:00 pm
by Champion Jon
Doesn't sound right. What kind if service did the shop do?

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 6:13 am
by ash
I dont get it, they found metal shavings, didnt notice the water in the unit, buttoned it up and told you to have someone else look at it? Something aint right, either missing in the story or the shop doesnt want to take responsibility for it. But that milky color is NOT OK its water, do not continue to run this thing it will grenade on you and the pin has already been pulled IMHO. Im not sure where you are located and what kind of service you had on it, doesnt sound like service if they didnt change the oil, and if they did and didnt note water in the unit prior to then they have some responsability here IMHO.

if your in NorCal A Boat Shop is where I would take it -

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 3:55 pm
by blkdog812
you got water in your oil. could be a leaking lower unit seal or a plug seal. merc has a magnetic plug on the lower plug and you will get some metal on it. dont worry if its fine, worry if there are chunks. i' think i'd find a new place for service

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 7:34 pm
by Kevin
Take it to an authorized Merc dealer with a Mercury dealer #. Many claim to be Mercury dealers but are not authorized. PM/email me your location and I'll recommend the best authorized dealer near you.
Kevin.linehan@mercmarine.com

Re: Lower unit help!!!

Posted: Wed May 08, 2013 12:42 pm
by bayscotter
Kevin pm sent