The Boating Forum - Metal "glitter"l in lower unit gear oil?

I just changed the gear oil in my '00 Yamaha 150 two stroke. The oil was changed by my shop last season and has about 60 hrs. on it. I changed it this year and the bottom of my oil pan looks like it has glitter in it. Not chunks but really fine glitter, also the magnetic oil plug had a "Xmas tree" made of this glitter on it. Question one - how much is normal? Question two - if this is abnormal what needs to be done? The motor only "crunches" slightly when you're putting it into gear (no more than any other outboard I've ever been around). The motor has also never made any weird transmission noises. Am I in trouble?

I would suggest the following:

When she is on the trailer, put her in gear, then turn the propeller back and forth to see how much play you measure at the tip of the propeller.

Then go to the dealer and try it on a new one and compare the difference.

Then make sure the dealer put the right gear oil in, with an oil analysis.

Then flush her out and change the oil.

Then sleep on it and report back.

Bullshipper, I'll try you suggestions. I appreciate it......

I would change the oil myself after about 10 hours and inspect the oil again. If the same amount of metal shavings are present then you may have a problem. I just changed the gear oil on my engine with about 80 hours on the oil and no metal.

I've changed the lower unit oil in my 1996 225 Merc EFI several times. Every time, there are shavings on the magnet at the tip of the drain screw. Completely normal is a group of shavings enough to smear on your fingertip. If you have tons of it, perhaps something is wrong.

That is what that little magnet is there for; to take out the little shavings/pieces. What you have sounds normal. Keep an eye on it. ;)

If are concerned, then this is what I would do. Run the engine for a few minutes to get the drive oil all sloshed around, then drain it. If it comes out grey color, then you have problems.

Gold color oil =Good
Dark Tan/black color oil =Just needs changing
Coffee and Milk = Water in drive
Grey Color = Internal grenade

Cheers,

David

rumAndCoke - 6/21/2005 7:12 AM
Gold color oil =Good
Dark Tan/black color oil =Just needs changing
Coffee and Milk = Water in drive
Grey Color = Internal grenade


I bought Yamaha gear oil it's kind of green/gold, not gold. The old gear oil with the "glitter" was also Yamaha and it was still pretty much green/gold. The old oil wasn't milky or look "burned". I've never changed the lower unit oil myself. I've always taken it to a shop but my shop said they couldn't take it for two weeks so I decided to do it myself. Having never done it before I wasn't sure what was "normal". My plan now is to run the boat for 10 - 20 hrs. then change it again to see how much is there. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Mumblerone, once again you've helped me out. I feel a little better after reading your post. Now when I go out I won't feel like lower unit it going to blow.......

Thanks. Be sure to fill the LU from the bottom plug to the top plug...get all the air out. NEVER from the top; but you probably knew that! Just keep an eye on it. ;)