Lower Unit Screws

willy · #1 10-24-2005, 04:27 PM

Anyone know any tricks to getting out froze lower unit screws to change your fluid, I ground a large screw driver to fit but the slots are a little worn and even after tapping a little they will not budge >:(

chumbucket · #2 10-24-2005, 04:33 PM

I had one once that was frozen in pretty good. I used a very large square shanked screwdriver and while holding it into the slot with a lot of pressure, turned the screwdriver with an adjustable wrench on the square part of the shank. New screws, gasket and Never-Seize on the threads from then on. ;)

willy · #3 10-24-2005, 05:05 PM

Gotcha CB that is what I tried to do but the slot is too shallow for me to get a strong purchase even with a fresh ground large head screwdriver. Any other tricks besides tapping it to loosen

Airslot · #4 10-24-2005, 05:15 PM

I've had good luck in the past w/ an "impact driver", it's like a screwdriver that you hit w/ a hammer.

Airslot

jaysea · #5 10-24-2005, 05:48 PM

i have an impact screwdriver,its used with a hammer ,as you hit it with the hammer it gives the screw or a nut the twist it needs to loosen or rusted stuff ,it has diffrent adaptors for diffrent fittings,suprised nobody else has one,cost about $20

willy · #6 10-24-2005, 05:54 PM

Thanks Jaysea, CB I got them off now I'm really confused, the lower unit oil flowed out, no water no shavings in fluid, no shavings on the magnets nice and clean and thick
Just one little problem I have never seen before
ITS TANNISH WHITE COLOR
no dirt no black or blue green like I have normally seen, solid white WTF is that you guys please tell me there is a lower unit oil that is white

chumbucket · #7 10-24-2005, 06:03 PM

:o Sorry 'bout that bud. You may possibly have a leaky lower unit seal. Milky white oil generally means water mixed with it. Better get that checked out. Not the end of the world and not too difficult to replace. ;)

Blue_Runner · #8 10-24-2005, 06:07 PM

Willy, the whitish stuff is water mixed in with your oil. That could mean your lower unit seal is bad or going bad. How much "milk" ya got and how long has it been since the last oil change?

Another thing, on the back of both screws there is a small plastic washer. I've been told that each time you change the oil to replace that washer. Now that brings me to my point - is the plastic washer there? If not, that could possibly how the water got in? Maybe not.

A little bit of water over a long period of time shouldn't be too bad as long as you change it often (1 or 2 times a year). Otherwise, you might be in need of a new lower unit seal kit. I've never done this work personally, and would probably have to pay the shop to do it for me as I don't know my way around the lower unit too well. But, with a good manual, it is very do-able for a backyard hack. Good luck.

Mac_Attack · #9 10-24-2005, 06:11 PM

Put your tanish color oil in a glass jar, leave it set the water and oil will separate if there is water there. If there is you've got seals to replace. Bill Mc ;D

willy · #10 10-24-2005, 06:14 PM

Yea guys I have seen a little whitish in the fluid before, but this is solid white, like it never had any blue/black at all, thick and clean almost like it came that way. There where no white washers or anything else on the screws and the magnet and the oil (?) were clean no dirt shavings or anything else, never saw any thing like it