Thread: Merc 90 ELPTO Quit Pulling ?

I'm like Downtime on this one. You say you can feel the shaft turning in the case. If so you should be turning the powerhead over. You need to know if the drive shaft is turning or not. If it's turning and not rotating the powerhead then the shaft is broken or splines stripped going into crankshaft, which if this is truly a low hr motor I would doubt but anything is possible. While in this process you will be doing what G is talking about on checking linkage because you will have to disconnect it to pull lower unit. Have you pulled lower unit drain plug to check for metal?

My money is on a broken drive shaft. Right above the pinion gear.

Pinion gear looks like the biggest culprit at this point...but not the only one. I pulled the prop guts and saw enough to know I'll need to replace. There is metal. PO had receipts where he just had it serviced. The "tech" that serviced it somehow forgot that the lower unit needed gear oil added before sending it out. Guess it comes down to me not checking the oil level before running it & taking everybody's word for it. I know better and would have gotten around to it but an hour of no/low oil level did it's number.

Next inquiry...where do I look for a reman lower unit? New unit $ is killing me. I've about given up on a good used lower...looked all I know and no luck.

I would PM Sliderman. He should know some place reputable for you to work with. Might even get a quote from him to rebuild.

Plus, I think I just might take that receipt back to dealer that serviced unit and talk to them. Won't cost you a dime and may just get you some help.

Originally Posted by cray

I would PM Sliderman. He should know some place reputable for you to work with. Might even get a quote from him to rebuild.

Plus, I think I just might take that receipt back to dealer that serviced unit and talk to them. Won't cost you a dime and may just get you some help.

Thanks, Cray. Believe me, I'd like to do that but being a new owner, I have little faith in the business world outside of our C.Com clan. And I don't really have ill feelings about the previous owner. He would have done the same thing as me and probably did run it a bit before I bought it after it had been "serviced". I'll PM Sliderman.

KIK .... have you checked with Angler's Outpost or Stokley's Marine to see if they have a lower unit that would work, in their "parts/scrap pile" ?? I know Stokley's used to have a pile of scrap boats/motors (salvage ??) that one could find some usable pieces out of (free for the taking), but not sure if they still do. Don't do any business with Angler's, so I don't know about them, but it may be worth a call.

PM replied.

Do not rebuild. Too many good used units on the market at well below the cost of parts for a rebuild. Contact the service center that forgot the oil. Give them a chance to make it right. If the shop is of no help, check other local service centers for a used one. A quick scan of ebay shows several available. Be sure to keep the same 2:3-1 ratio you have now as mentioned in the PM.

@CrappiePappy - I'll be checking today with Stokley's.
@sliderman - Thanks...I've found some on eBay and one in particular sounds interesting. I'm talking to the guy now on it. Got a service manual coming today. What else will I need to look at if I do go with used unit prior to install? Besides making sure it's got proper oil in it 😯