What Is an Outboard’s Lower Unit & How It Works


What is a lower unit/part on an outboard? How does an outboard lower unit work? How do I know if my lower unit is bad on my outboard? What causes an outboard lower unit to fail?

The outboard lower unit is one of the essential parts of the motor/engine that ensures smooth operation of any boat. If you are new to the boating world, you might be confused about such terminology as boat lower unit.

No worries. Today we will explain everything concerning the outboard lower unit, including the parts of an outboard lower unit, its working mechanism, the problems, failure symptoms, maintenance tips, and replacement costs.

Stay with us for a few minutes, and you will become a pro in the outboard’s lower unit so you can take good care of your outboard and make it last long.

Table of contents:

Outboard Motor Lower Unit

What Is an Outboard’s Lower Unit (with Diagram)

As the name implies, the outboard motor’s lower unit is the bottom part of an outboard motor. It transforms the power from the engine to the rotation of the propellers.

Without an outboard lower unit, you can’t go anywhere.

So it’s important to understand the parts of an outboard lower unit and how they work.

Typically, an outboard lower unit includes the driveshaft, water pump, propeller, shift shaft, gearcase, and skeg.

If the outboard is intended for saltwater applications, you will also see anode on its lower unit, which is used to protect the engine from corrosion.

Here is a diagram that shows the different parts of an outboard lower unit:

Parts of Outboard Lower Unit DiagramParts of Outboard Lower Unit Diagram

Editor’s Note: The above-mentioned parts of an outboard’s lower unit are commonly found on combustion engines regardless of the brands (including Honda outboards, Yamaha, Johnson, Mercury, etc). The modern electric outboard motors feature a much more simplified lower unit.

For example, the best-selling ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo comes with just a motor, propeller, skeg, and anode (for saltwater uses) on the lower unit. That’s to say, there’s no oil change or gearcase problems, and therefore significantly less maintenance is required.

Here is also a diagram for the electric outboard’s lower unit, so you can see the difference easily:

Electric Outboard Lower Unit DiagramElectric Outboard Lower Unit Diagram

How an Outboard Lower Unit Works

Basically, the outboard lower unit is like a gearbox with different components, responsible for the power transmission. All the power of the outboard motors is sent to the lower unit and transferred to the prop shaft and the propeller.

All parts of the outboard lower unit work together to make your boat move. Here is how each component works:

  • The drive shaft transmits power from the engine (or powerhead) to the gearcase. It’s also important in engine cooling through its synergy with the water pump.
  • The water pump is attached to the drive shaft and gets power from the rotation of the drive shaft. It circulates water through the internal cooling system to keep the engine cool.
  • The shift shaft is responsible for transmitting motions to put the outboard into or out of gear, enabling you to select different gears (forward, neutral, reverse) and control speed. For example, if you twist the shaft counterclockwise, it puts our engine in forward gear.
  • The gearcase is the core part of the lower unit which contains pinion gear, dog clutch, forward gear, and reverse gear. It transfers vertical rotational power from the engine to horizontal rotational power to turn the propeller or rotor.
  • The skeg helps to keep your boat moving straight and turn your boat accurately. It also protects the propeller from underwater obstructions.

Editor’s Note: Mercury, Yamaha, and other combustion outboard lower units all work in a similar way as illustrated above. However, the electric outboard lower unit works differently.

Most electric outboard motors feature only an electric motor on its lower unit and a battery on its head (like Spirit 1.0 Evo) or wired to it externally (like Navy Series outboards).

So the outboard’s lower unit converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, and transfers power to the motor’s rotor. The propeller (attached to the motor) then rotates to generate thrust and move the boat through the water.

As you can see, the electric outboard is much easier, highly efficient and less likely to break since it has significantly fewer components inside the outboard’s lower unit.

Outboard Lower Unit Maintenance Tips

The outboard lower unit is one of the most easily damaged parts of a boat motor, especially if you are using a gasoline/petrol outboard and travel shallow rocky rivers a lot.

So it’s important to maintain the outboard’s lower unit regularly to prevent damage and increase its life span.

Here is how:

#1. Service Your Outboard Regularly

You need to follow the maintenance guidelines of your outboard motor (provided by the manufacturer). For example, change the gear oil in your outboard motor lower unit regularly (every 100 hours or once a year) and lubricate the gears and bearings properly.

#2. Check for Signs of Wear & Damage

Also remember to check the outboard’s lower unit regularly for any leaks, cracks, damages, or wear. Click here to learn the 5 signs that your outboard’s lower unit is damaged.

#3. Flush Your Outboard After Every Use

Don’t forget to rinse your outboard off with fresh water after every use, since it can remove salt, sand, or debris that could cause corrosion to the outboard’s lower unit.

#4. Use the Correct Oil

It’s important to use the right type of oil for your outboard. If you get it wrong, you will probably see excessive smoke, vibration, and power loss on your outboard. So don’t mess it up.

Before you add or change the oil for your outboard, always check the manual first to see what’s recommended. A quick Google search of your motor will also give you what the manufacturer recommends.

#5. Inspect & Replace Anodes Regularly

If you are using the outboard in corrosive water, you need to inspect the anodes regularly to keep your outboard’s lower unit in good condition. Generally, if the anode is corroded down to 50% of its original size, it needs to be replaced.

#6. Grease Moving Parts

Greasing the moving parts regularly can greatly reduce friction and wear on your outboard, and therefore prevent the motor from vibrating and failing.

Tip: A shortcut to deal with the outboard’s lower unit maintenance is to go for an electric outboard motor. Thanks to the modern technology, you can just sit back without worrying about the exhausting and costly maintenance on the lower unit all the time.

Outboard Lower Unit MaintenanceOutboard Lower Unit Maintenance

Outboard Lower Unit Problems & Signs

It’s frustrating to see damages on any part of your boat, and when it comes to the outboard lower unit, it’s a real pain.

There can be all kinds of boat lower unit problems, such as water in the gear lube, damaged water pump impeller, leaking seals, and bent propeller. If you want to get the very best of your outboard, you need to deal with them right away!

So how do you know if your lower unit is bad on your outboard?

Here are some typical signs and symptoms that indicate your outboard’s lower unit is damaged:

Signal #1. Discoloration of Gear Lube

If you see a foamy or cloudy fluid, metallic particles in the tank, a foul odor, or milky liquid on the dipstick, it’s highly possible that water enters the gear lube (perhaps due to a faulty water seal, a leaking drain plug, or a stuck water drain valve).

Signal #2. Strange Noise from the Outboard Lower Unit

If you hear whining, whirring, or grinding noise coming from the lower unit, it’s very likely that your water pump impeller is worn out or damaged.

Signal #3. Leaking Gear Oil or Other Fluids

If you notice an oil slick in the water or wet spots near the lower unit (or an unusual increase in fuel consumption), it signals that the lower unit’s seals or gaskets are leaking and need to be repaired or replaced immediately.

Signal #4. Bent or Damaged Propeller

Another sure sign that your outboard’s lower unit is bad is the bent or damaged propeller, which can be caused by common wear and tear, vibrations from the lower unit or hitting underwater obstacles like rocks and reefs.

Signal #5. Reduced Power or Performance

If you find your motor isn’t as powerful as before or even locks up, there can be problems with your outboard’s lower unit (such as a damaged shift shaft or broken propeller).

All the failure symptoms above indicate that you need to take your outboard to a professional and fix the problems as soon as possible.

FAQs Concerning Ouboard Lower Unit

Here we also collected some hottest questions about outboard lower units. Continue reading to find quick answers.

1. How much does it cost to replace a lower unit on a boat?

The outboard lower unit price varies between different models, brands, and labor required. Generally, a used outboard lower unit goes for $800-1000, while a new replacement can cost around $1100 or higher (taking a 150hp Yamaha outboard as an example).

If you are looking for an outboard lower unit replacement, you’d better have a mechanic look at it for professional advice. If you are mechanically inclined, you can also DIY an outboard lower unit and rebuild it on your own to save money.

2. How to change lower unit oil?

It’s usually suggested to change the oil on your outboard’s lower unit every 100 hours (or at least once a year). Here is a video that guides you through the steps to change the lower unit oil easily and quickly.

3. What causes a lower unit to fail?

A number of factors can cause your outboard’s lower unit to fail. The most common ones include hitting underwater obstacles, running aground, and hitting floating objects.




Source link