Mercury Outboard Lower Unit Noises.....

[askipper3]

I seem to be getting a loud clicking noise when above 1200 RPMs, and a slight clicking in nuetral. All sounds are coming from the lower unit. I checked the shift and throttle linkages and everything there is OK.

Everything else on the moter is fine; running nice and cool, good water pressure, no knocking at idle, etc. Good fuel and spark plugs, etc.

So, with all this said- any ideas what the problem could be?

I just hope it's not fatal.

[bridgeman]

Is the shift cable on your controls working properly? Sounds like the same problem I had on a 50 merc, wanted to jump into neutral as I throttled up.

[askipper3]

Shift cable on controls is A-Ok.

I have it narrowed down to the lower unit(as in the problem is from there). Someone said it could be a bad bearing, or a clutch dog going bad, etc.

Just would like to have the problem diagnosed as closely as possible before I go tearing it apart.

[Bigshrimpin]

AK - I have 4 or 5 spare lower units that will fit that motor (one from a 2002 200 and 1997 200) both are 25" shafts. If you can't fix yours, I can hook you up for a decent price. PM if you need one. Have you disconnected the shift cable and tried shifting with just the linkage. Are there any chunks of metal or heavy shavings in the gear oil? Make sure the Zinc is on there tight!! I've had a nice rattle (not including the sound of banging my head against the wall) before that turned out to be a loose zinc.
It was more of a rattle, not a click.

[Fr. Frank]

I had a similar noise from the lower on my 92 Merc 150. It would click while idling in fwd, but not in reverse. After not figuring it out, and then leaving it alone, I learned it was caused by the bearing carrier shifting backwards on the threads in the gearcase, which was cause by galvanic corrosion of the threaded portion of the gear case. I ended up rebuilding with a NOS gearcase with new clutch dog, pinion gear, reverse gear, and bearing & bearing carrier. Cost: $930.

[askipper3]

Thanks for the input. BigShrimpin' after I get the situation worked out- and if it ends up being a lower unit.......I will let you know!!!! If I can get a new lower unit for the same price or cheaper...I'll be all over it.