Lower Unit under warranty?

[Fiat4Fun]

Howdy,
Last fall during my end of season winterization, I noticed metal dust in my outdrive, and had it looked at by a Mercruiser shop. We determined that their were some issues with the lower unit. Sent the lower unit back to Sierra, which my insurance company replaced back in 2010 when I hit a rock. Just heard back from Sierra, and they are sending another replacement unit. I asked if it was a rebuild, and they said no, it was new. So, does Sierra make new units like Mercruiser and SEI? Is three years and 150 hours on a drive what I can expect on the lower unit? The original one lasted from 1986 until it was replaced in 2010, and that was because I hit a rock!

I was unaware that Sierra also builds their own outdrive units. I keep seeing about SEI units as a replacement, but never see anything about Sierra. Any idea on the quality of Sierra's units? It does have a "limited lifetime" warranty, which is nice, and they are sending me another drive, so I can't complain about them standing behind their product. They drive was sent them taken apart by the local Mercruiser dealer, and they determined that the dog ears were damaged, most likely by the boat being shifted from forward to reverse or reverse to forward, and were grounded down. I am very careful about that, but others drive the boat when I am skiing!

Any input or experiences on the use of Sierra upper or lower units is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy
Bob

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

Howdy,
Last fall during my end of season winterization, I noticed metal dust in my outdrive, and had it looked at by a Mercruiser shop. We determined that their were some issues with the lower unit. Sent the lower unit back to Sierra, which my insurance company replaced back in 2010 when I hit a rock. Just heard back from Sierra, and they are sending another replacement unit. I asked if it was a rebuild, and they said no, it was new. So, does Sierra make new units like Mercruiser and SEI? Is three years and 150 hours on a drive what I can expect on the lower unit? The original one lasted from 1986 until it was replaced in 2010, and that was because I hit a rock!

I was unaware that Sierra also builds their own outdrive units. I keep seeing about SEI units as a replacement, but never see anything about Sierra. Any idea on the quality of Sierra's units? It does have a "limited lifetime" warranty, which is nice, and they are sending me another drive, so I can't complain about them standing behind their product. They drive was sent them taken apart by the local Mercruiser dealer, and they determined that the dog ears were damaged, most likely by the boat being shifted from forward to reverse or reverse to forward, and were grounded down. I am very careful about that, but others drive the boat when I am skiing!

Any input or experiences on the use of Sierra upper or lower units is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy
Bob

Ayuh,.... Sierra is a Marketer,... SEI is the drive manufacturer, just as Mercruiser is a drive manufacturer,...

Yer drive is an SEI drive,...

The damage done to yer drive is from shiftin' Waayyy to s l o w l y, repeatedly,...
It doesn't reflect on the quality of the drive, but the poor actions of the operator,...

 

[old islander]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

Push that control forward with some gusto. A solid clunk when shifting into forward or reverse is proper. Click..click..click..clunk is not.

 

[achris]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

I'm surprised they are replacing the whole lower unit just for a back dog clutch. In doing that I suspect they did some tests on the clutch and found it was 'soft', hence the warranty replacement. The most common reason for the edges on dog clutches to be worn is, as Bondo said, poor operator technique... Dog clutches have two states, in and out. They should be engaged swiftly. If you hear a grinding noise as you're shifting, your moving the handle too slow. It should be a solid 'clunk'.

Chris........

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

Thanks for the replies, and didn't realize that I put this thread in the wrong category! Sorry about that.

So, Sierra does not manufacturer their lower units, and what I am going to end up with is a SEI drive with a Sierra warranty?
Interesting, so I should be good to go.
As far as shifting, I am very good about shifting, but will remind folks that also drive the boat to use "gusto" when shifting.

Looking forward to see the drive get here and see if I can see any markings or anything that says SEI on it!!!

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

New drive arrived today.
In a Sierra box, with a Sierra serial number, looks new?
Can't turn main shaft, most likely because of new water impeller , but can turn shaft where prop goes.
It has a different kind of tooth washer on the prop shaft. It has the standard lock washer, then the brass
lock sleeve, and then this never seen before thin tooth washer, then the brass think washer that the prop rests on.
Never seen that thin washer before……. Any ideas?

No SEI markings, paint looks good, no other marks on it.
Interesting.

 

[achris]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

New drive arrived today.
In a Sierra box, with a Sierra serial number, looks new?
Can't turn main shaft, most likely because of new water impeller , but can turn shaft where prop goes.
It has a different kind of tooth washer on the prop shaft. It has the standard lock washer, then the brass
lock sleeve, and then this never seen before thin tooth washer, then the brass think washer that the prop rests on.
Never seen that thin washer before……. Any ideas?

No SEI markings, paint looks good, no other marks on it.
Interesting.

Photos would help...

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

let's see if this works?

 

[achris]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

That 'toothed washer' is a continuity washer. It goes on the REAR thrust washer, against the prop. It's for corrosion/electrolysis protection.

Chris.......

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

Cool,
Did not know that! So when I been changing props all these years, I should of been putting that on? I must of lost it years ago, and didn't realize it. Didn't see one in my Mercruiser hub kit that I keep on board as a spare. Is it required or shall I say important, or not a issue if used in fresh water????

 

[achris]

Re: Lower Unit under warranty?

Not really an issue in freshwater, but if you leave the boat in the water overnight (or longer) I'd make sure it's there.