what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

[blackstang932005]

so i just got done paying $550 bucks for a new transom shift cable and new impeller kit (i also paid $950 10 months ago for a half assed "marine mechanic" to repair the transom shift cable). Anyway I decided to change the gear oil in the lower unit, ive done this task many times. But this time i drained from the bottom hole and FILLED FROM THE BOTTOM HOLE till it ran outta the top hole. Forgetting that you fill from the top HOLE! I had a boat full yesterday we went out and after 5 minutes i hear a bad thunk! and then the motor stopped I tried to restart it but the gears are locked up. DAMN! I checked out the top gears today. they are scared but no broken ones. it really dont look too bad. you guys thinking im probaly going to need a new outdrive?

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

Best to try and find a used drive that matches. Otherwise, you could probably shoot for another boat at the cost and risk of saving your drive.

 

[blackstang932005]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

think that upper bearing is seized up. maybe ill find a used upper unit. damn still going to cost me some cash

 

[Ski Bob]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

I have a 4.3 Cobra myself, 1991, and I always drain the thing from the drain by the skeg and open the top dip stick tube for venting. Then, I fill it up with the pump from the BOTTOM drain by the skeg. Is this not the correct way to do it? By the way, when you filled it, did you put in the required amount of oil? For example, mine holds 64 Ounces. Just curious. Feel real bad for you!! Good luck. Bob

 

[Levinz11]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

You guys gotta read this...http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/omc-information-334348.html

 

[blackstang932005]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

You guys gotta read this...http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/omc-information-334348.html

the sad thing is ive done it the correct way a bunch of times. and i also have a factory manual. i just had a major brain fart.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

I have a 4.3 Cobra myself, 1991, and I always drain the thing from the drain by the skeg and open the top dip stick tube for venting. Then, I fill it up with the pump from the BOTTOM drain by the skeg. Is this not the correct way to do it?

Um. NO. You will destroy the drive filling it that way.

Fill it from the middle "fill" port.

There are some that are suggesting filling it from the bottom until oil appears at the middle port and THEN filling it from the middle port until full. I suppose that works, but the OMC manual says to fill it from the middle port. (period)

But this time i drained from the bottom hole and FILLED FROM THE BOTTOM HOLE till it ran outta the top hole. Forgetting that you fill from the top HOLE!

Filling from the top is ALSO a good way to destroy the drive too!

 

[blackstang932005]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

Um. NO. You will destroy the drive filling it that way.

Fill it from the middle "fill" port.

There are some that are suggesting filling it from the bottom until oil appears at the middle port and THEN filling it from the middle port until full. I suppose that works, but the OMC manual says to fill it from the middle port. (period)


Filling from the top is ALSO a good way to destroy the drive too!

sorry to confuse when i say "top hole" i mean middle fill hole.

 

[blackstang932005]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

anyway i screwed her up bad. I purchased a nice looking complete upper unit for 300 bucks today. My mechanic says he will charge me $300 max to swap em out for me. so i learned my lesson $600.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: what a moron i am! (4.3 omc gears locked up)

anyway i screwed her up bad. I purchased a nice looking complete upper unit for 300 bucks today. My mechanic says he will charge me $300 max to swap em out for me. so i learned my lesson $600.

Hmm. Well, since both the "upper" and "lower" share the same oil ..............metal contamination from the "lower will eventually destroy the drive if you do not disassemble the lower and thoroughly clean it and all the parts of any contamination.

If your "mechanic" doesn't know this, you might consider getting another one of those too........