Possible LU Issues...?

[raven1978]

I am having issues with my motor...it's a 1988 evinrude 50 hp model E50TLCCS. While out on the lake today i noticed a wierd noise that i dont remember hearing before. It sounds like a clacking / knocking noise. I have deduced that it is coming from mid/lower area as it only does it in forward/reverse gear. If i have it in neutral and put it in high idle there is NO noise. Once i got it home i put it in forward gear (without motor running) and went to the prop to see how much it would turn freely. Well, i was able to rotate the prop about 40-60 degrees before i felt the gears kick in. My question is , is that normal or should the gear set not allow that much free travel in the prop? Is my gear box shot and if so ,roughly how much can i expect to pay for new gears?

Also i drained the lower unit oil today and found some metal shavings, nothing big in size but a fair bit of it. The oil was greenish and silver. I want to resolve this issue before i go out on the water again but i need to know some of the possibilities that this issue might be. Hopefully i have provided enuff info and if not please ask as i am not real familiar with marine engines.


Thanx in advance,

brAd

[highcountry]

Sorry to hear the problems, The oil doesn't sound good, silver is metal and you have a problem. As for the noise I don't know, drive shaft problem? I think that I would get a manual and pull the lower to be safe. If you follow the factory manual most of the lower units aren't that hard. Good luck

[raven1978]

ok so i have torn the lower unit and mid section apart for inspection and see nothing wrong or why i would be getting a knocking noise.....any ideas. im stumped....especially with the little bit of metal shavings in the oil?

[highcountry]

I don't know? I thought that if you were hearing it and metal filing were in the oil that you would find a problem of some type, a pump that lost a fin, pinion gear that was stripping? Got me