Lower Unit replacement

My motor started "ticking" yesterday after lunch. The faster I went, the faster the tick. I thought it was surely something in the top end but when I was loading the boat I thought to run the motor in neutral with the fast idle lever and there was no ticking. When I got the boat out of the water, when I'd turn the prop by hand, it sounds like a bad bearing in the lower unit.

When I bought this boat last year, the output shaft was slightly bent. I got that fixed and told the mechanic to make sure there was no damage inside the foot where the bearing seat. Not wallowed out. He said everything looked good. I don't specifically remember asking him if he replaced the bearings but I think he did. At any rate, I'm not happy that I have a failure in the lower unit after putting less than 30 hours on the boat after I had it repaired.

So, my question is, given that there was some lower unit damage (bent prop shaft) and that it's been repaired recently but didn't "hold" depending on what I see, should I consider replacing the lower? I don't want a motor that has to be worked on every few months.

I just looked and I can buy a complete lower from $895-$1750. That's a whole lot of difference. Are the cheaper remaned lowers any good? Likely Chinese components, IMO.

https://www.obparts.com/yamaha/four-...ke-lower-unit/

After reading about Marine Parts Warehouse and what they do -- For me it would be an easy choice --- shop mechanics are good at what they do but most do not have what it takes to insure the highest standards .... these lower units have new factory OEM parts that meet the same standards of a new unit with a three year warranty

Says it has a 3 year no fault warranty. I'd read that real good but sounds like a pretty good deal verses parts and labor to rebuild. Recently read a post on some forum where a guy had bought one similar and it went bad about 2 years into the warranty and they shipped him a brand new one. You might also Google reviews on the company.

I read that too and it plainly states ... aftermarket parts. The old saying....you get what you pay for is usually true. My self....i would want OEM parts. But thats just me.

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That's the kicker.... What to do? It's a 98 model 2 stroke motor..... I could swap the lower unit myself.

$900 or $1900... I don't want to, but don't really mind spending the extra $1000 if there is really a difference.

All I read on Marine Parts Warehouse was a one year warranty. I didn't see a new lower for my motor. Only a refurbished unit. Their new and used both carry a one year warranty from what I saw. Refurb or new are both $1840 plus shipping. It seems sort of strange to me that a rebuild and a new one would be the same price...

I'd take Japanese OEM over Chinese any day of the week. If the motor was 10 years newer there would be no decision to make..

Anybody got a good 115-130 HP 4 stroke they want to sell? I've got a good Yamaha to trade in. Disregard that clicking sound, it's likely nothing. :)

EDIT: I wonder if this has anything to do with that stainless prop I put on a couple weeks ago....? Rebuilt prop from a prop shop in TX....

Several years ago I had a Johnson 150 on a sea pro 190 fish and ski. I found enough fishing line in the lake to ruin the seal and let water in and blow up the lower unit. I bought one of the new units off of eBay. It had a one year warranty. After one month it blew up they replaced it another month it blew up replaced it. They all had soft gears and would not last over a couple trips. The company would not check the gears just send a new one. I put 4 lower units on it before I sold the motor. After I sold it that one blew up to so beware what you are buying. New does not always mean better

I had a 30 hp Mariner, think it was a 2k model. Hit a stump just under water and did a number on the prop shaft. Carried it back to dealer and they replaced with new shaft and bearings. Checked all tolerances on everything else. Never had a minutes problem since. Sold it in 08' and see it on water all time. Old friend bought it, seen him other day, said still running strong. Never turned a tap on it. Just sayin a good mechanic should be able to replace oem parts and should be fine. 1900.00 is a good chunk of change for me.


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The lower unit comes with a three-year fault-free warranty. For further details, please see the complete warranty at https://www.obparts.com/sei-marine-p...rranty-policy/.

Here is what it says under the link you posted. Now I didn't go into the explanation.

just call BRM get you a new 4 stroke and you be done with it! :biggrin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slabprowler

just call BRM get you a new 4 stroke and you be done with it! :biggrin

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PM me your credit card # :)