Issue with SEI lower unit for 225 Yamaha

[Capt Ahab]

I believe my lower unit may have bit the bullet this weekend. I purchased an SEI replacement lower unit for a 93 Yamaha 225HP in late spring. I have approx. 9 hrs. on it. I have been religious in adhering to the break in guidelines and I'm into the second half of the brake in period. After throttling back after a short run at full throttle, a metallic noise commenced in addition to minor erratic vibration. It sounded like I was trying to pilot through a sea of ball bearings and crushed up tin cans. This was in forward and reverse. Also, when shifting back to neutral, it would take from 3-4 seconds before it would make the shift. I was in Absecon Inlet and letting the tide drift me back toward my point of origin. I only engaged forward in order to adjust my drift and compensate for the wind. After 6 or 8 shifts, the noise seemed to smooth out then return then smooth out again. By the time I was ready to trailer it, I throttled up to get it on the trailer and it didn't sound that bad. I drained the oil and it looked like charcoal grey metallic paint. I know that SEI does not lap the gears and rely on the break in period to do that. I also know that when metal on metal sounds like I heard are not good and normally don't just go away.
Any suggestions on what else I should check before shipping it back to SEI?
Larry

 

[Bryan 2530]

Ship it back and get your money back.

Most people I talk to have not had good luck with SEI.

I would cut your loses.

 

[miky2884]

i know at least 4 people who have had terrible luck with SEI same thing happened to them, my boss had to send his lower unit back to them 3 times, twice he paid to have it shipped back. In all cases they tried to claim they didnt do the break in correctly which was false. Good luck

 

[miky2884]

Bryan beat me to it

 

[Bryan 2530]

viewtopic.php?t=7999

 

[DaleH]

I wonder if they "trapped the market" meaning the first ones out there were fine, to capture the attention and reputation of people and websites like this. I recently "heard" they now get their gears from China, and that's how they keep the pricing so low.

I tell you, from what I've seen with quality control and quality 'issues' from China ... that could be the issue. And what I fear :shock: , seriously ... is that if they ever get their act together and fix their quality issues ... we all had better learn to speak Mandarin, as I project that either SAP (the company) or China (the country) will rule the post-US-dominance world ... you heard it here 1st !

 

[Capt Ahab]

Thanks guys,
I really appreciate the feedback. I'll probably do just that. Get my money back and cut my losses. Then that still leaves me without a foot in the water. Can't refurb my original as the gear / bearing housing developed a huge crack right where the cover nut screws into it. Anybody know someone reputable that deals in used / refurb'd units? My work takes me to the sub base and EB in Groton quite often and I've been to the Outboard Exchange near the Parker dealer in Niantic but I don't know anything about they're reputation.

 

[Brent]

I dont

What would a new LU cost from Andy at SIM?

 

[Megabyte]

Or maybe a take-off lower unit from a motor with a blown power head?

 

[Brent]

or ebay

 

[DaleH]

For a '93 motor you should be able to find a used one for < $1K. If anyone needed one for an OMC mid-90s vintage, I have two I could let go for $200 each ... and that's a bargain!

 

[SCL]

I would steer clear of the Outboard Exchange. They yanked me around for 3 months with my sons 25 hp outboard. .After everything was said and done they were not able to locate the parts. I still had to pay the $95 diagnostic fee to get the engine back. Passing Thru 2120

 

[Bryan 2530]

I would steer clear of the Outboard Exchange. They yanked me around for 3 months with my sons 25 hp outboard. .After everything was said and done they were not able to locate the parts. I still had to pay the $95 diagnostic fee to get the engine back. Passing Thru 2120

Agreed.

Good place to buy used parts face to face, but don't leave anything there or contract work with them.

 

[Capt Ahab]

Thanks guys.
I appreciate the help.
Larry