black is bad. it means worn out oil with carbon particles (abrasive)
in suspension.

wrote:
black is bad. it means worn out oil with carbon particles (abrasive)
in suspension.

does it matter that it stayed in the motor for 18+ years? (and I might
be remembering it a little incorrectly. I'm going to drain it later
today, to see how it looks)

I just now drained the lower unit (after it sat for an additional 3
years since I last ran it) and the lower unit oil is a amberish/brown
color. I do realize that the limited time that I ran it isn't really
enough to decipher it is has a problem, but I'd think it's an added
bonus if it's not in terrible shape.

[This followup was posted to rec.boats and a copy was sent to the cited
author.]

In article .com,
says...
I just now drained the lower unit (after it sat for an additional 3
years since I last ran it) and the lower unit oil is a amberish/brown
color. I do realize that the limited time that I ran it isn't really
enough to decipher it is has a problem, but I'd think it's an added
bonus if it's not in terrible shape.



Part of an engine oil's job, when lubricating the engine is to clean the
engine of carbon deposits and such. Over time this causes the oil to
darken.

In a lower unit, where there is no combustion taking place, it is far
more difficult if not impossible to determine the remaining lubricating
properties of an old oil by color since there isn't combustion residues
for the oil to pick up. Some darkening can be expected from normal
heating caused by the unit in normal operation.

It would be surprising if the color of oil in a lower unit were any
color other then what you describe or the grayish emulsion resulting
from a leaking seal allowing water into the unit.

The exception would be extreme over heating of the oil in the unit,
which can cause it to blacken. Of course, if that were the case, you'd
probably know about the problem long before draining the unit.

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net

Mike G wrote:

The exception would be extreme over heating of the oil in the unit,
which can cause it to blacken. Of course, if that were the case, you'd
probably know about the problem long before draining the unit.

how would I be able to tell, if I've only used it in a bucket?


--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net

[This followup was posted to rec.boats and a copy was sent to the cited
author.]

In article .com,
says...
how would I be able to tell, if I've only used it in a bucket?

[quoted text muted]




?

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net

Mike G wrote:
[This followup was posted to rec.boats and a copy was sent to the cited
author.]

In article .com,
says...
how would I be able to tell, if I've only used it in a bucket?

?

Sorry, I meant that I've only used it in a garbage can so far.

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net

With burned oil you can often feel grit (carbon particles) between
your fingers when you rub them together. It also smell burned.

ed
marine engine digest

[This followup was posted to rec.boats and a copy was sent to the cited
author.]

In article .com,
says...
Sorry, I meant that I've only used it in a garbage can so far.
[quoted text muted]
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net





Assuming you mean whether or not water is getting into the lower unit if
you've only run the unit in a trash can of water. You're right, it isn't
exactly a definitive test but if the engine had only sat for a season
I'd say your probably ok but three years?

Gaskets dry out, sealers get brittle, metal shrinks and expands. If you
got no water in the lower unit in the trash can you may be alright but
that could prove to be an expensive may be.

Then of course there is the water pump impeller sitting down there, when
did that get changed last?

Personally, after having the boat sitting unused for that length of time
I'd take the safe route, bite the bullet, drop the lower unit and
replace the water pump and seal everything up anew. It's cheap
insurance.

Choice two, launch it and baby it around for ten or fifteen hours. If it
doesn't overheat on you and you show no signs of water in the lower end
oil put off the job till next season.

Sometimes, without proper preparation, it's tougher on an engine to sit
idle for years then it is for it to be run during the same period.

Best of luck what ever route you chose.

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net

Mike G wrote:

Assuming you mean whether or not water is getting into the lower unit if
you've only run the unit in a trash can of water. You're right, it isn't
exactly a definitive test but if the engine had only sat for a season
I'd say your probably ok but three years?

well, it sat before for 18 years (at least). The exhaust had far more
water in it than another engine of the same vintage that I have. It
was pretty much consistant spitting out a lot of water when it was
running.

I don't know if that the water pump was working fine, but it seemed to
be spitting out a lot of water.


Gaskets dry out, sealers get brittle, metal shrinks and expands. If you
got no water in the lower unit in the trash can you may be alright but
that could prove to be an expensive may be.

true, but since it's (as of right now) just an extra engine (might be a
"parts" engine for the 62). Someday I might rebuild it (if the parts
are still available at a reasonable price).

Then of course there is the water pump impeller sitting down there, when
did that get changed last?

no idea if it's ever been replaced. My uncle had it for a while, but I
doubt he changed it ever. I know we've never changed the one our older
boat (the 62).

Personally, after having the boat sitting unused for that length of time
I'd take the safe route, bite the bullet, drop the lower unit and
replace the water pump and seal everything up anew. It's cheap
insurance.

I might do that someday, and if it's easier than I think, I'd probably
do it with the other one too.

Choice two, launch it and baby it around for ten or fifteen hours. If it
doesn't overheat on you and you show no signs of water in the lower end
oil put off the job till next season.

Sometimes, without proper preparation, it's tougher on an engine to sit
idle for years then it is for it to be run during the same period.

Best of luck what ever route you chose.

--
Mike G.
Heirloom Woods

www.heirloom-woods.net