We just bought a boat and the gears are stripped. help?

Question

We just bought a boat with a mer cruiser alpha one outdrive. We took it out one time. Now the gears in the upper unit are stripped. We werent really wanting to pay too much more since we just bought it. What is the cheapest way to go about getting it fixed. We called one place and they said 400-500 dollars just labor to fix it. Should we shop around on labor. Or is that general. If i got the parts could i fix it myself?

Answer 1

is that a professional diagnosis?  maybe it's just a cable adjust?

Answer 2

Unless you're really good, dont try to rebuild the outdrive yourself.  But you can find a used outdrive on ebay and jsut replace the whole thing for 500 or so...dependong on how the bidding goes.  That would only be the pivot ring bolts and the bellows.  Alot cheaper and easier that rebuilding the gears.

Answer 3

Probably the number one reason people sell boats is the high cost of repairs.  I just sold a nice boat because I could buy another cheaper than fixing.  Now the next guy, who was fully informed of the problem, can experience the sticker shock.  Check ebay for parts if you are mechanically inclined.  You can sometimes get a whole running boat cheaper than an outdrive.  You can fix it if you can follow the repair manual.

Answer 4

Are you sure that the gears are stripped?Lift the top cover on the upper housing and look inside,its just held on with 4 small bolts.

First of all it is very unlikely that only the top gears are affected,both the upper and lower gear case are connected with a oil tube.If you take out the lower oil s***w and if you get a)water b)milky oil c)all the above with metal filings on the magnet the you will be looking at a COMPLETE drive rebuild.

Answer 5

Your estimate on labor is in line, if anything, a little cheap.  Usually about 4.5-6.0 hrs, at our marina the shop rate is $125 per hr.  Parts will run you between 850 and 1400.  I have never seen a "hit" take out the top gears, usually the pinion in the lwr gearcase.  Remember, false insurance claims just drive up the rates for honest boaters.

Answer 6

This is a job for a professional.  The more you do, the better you get at it.  $500 is about right.  What you don't know is that gears and bearings can run $1000 or more.  Now, listen closely......If you hit a submerged object, like a log.  Your boaters insurance will pay for the repairs.   You may have never seen what you hit, but there will be a ding on the prop.