real dumb mistake, advice needed
 

after fluid change on bravo one [drain behind prop] i failed to tighten plug to proper torque. plug eventually worked its way out and lost all fluid while underway. monitor alarm sounded and after a brief hesitation to figure out what was happening i shut the motor down. limped back on other engine pulled boat and drained fluid. fill plug magnet had substantial particals and shavings, drain plug hardly anything. changed fluid and ran on trailer in water with no prop. ran smooth as silk in both gears with no noise at all. i'd like to run it and squeeze out the remaining season but am fearful of doing more damage. [twin 350 mags w/ 450 hrs] all advice much appreciated.

Unlessyou are ready to buy a complete replacement drive, i would error on the side of caution and have it torn down and inspected. You are better off, then risking it and then finding out the cases are gone due to damage or you needing new shafts etc...

right now you might need to replace some parts or it could be perfectly fine.......keep running it and it might be OK, or destroys itself completely.



PS: This is one of many reasons I always have a spare.

I would drive it hard before the season is over. If it breaks, you have the rest of the year to look for parts or replacement drive. If it doesn't break you can feel comfortable going into next season.

Just curious, whats the difference between a "fill plug" and "drain plug?" They are the same plug.

Anyway, I would mininally drain it one more time and refill with clean lube. See what the lube looks like that you drain for some clues.

Pull the top and back caps when you drain it down some and look for metal. If there is any.. your done. If it looks clean, you may be able to run it.
How much metal was in the oil when you drained it? And I suspect that fill and drain.. you meant upper plug and lower. But as stated.. the lower plug, drains it and that is where you fill it, bottom to top.
Where there any flakes or chunks on the magnets? IF so, I would have it opened up for inspection.

Good luck, lets us know what you find.
Dick

first, thanks all for the feedback. sorry for the confusion. the lower plug was clean, but the upper had substantial particles and flakes. flakes were no thicker than .001. no chunks at all. oil contained extremely fine particles. today i'll remove the caps and make a decision. again thanks to all.

hope you get lucky pino56

Removed caps today as Mr. Gadgets suggested. Glad i did cause behind rear cap was a whole lot of metal shaveings. Hope damage is contained to upper unit. Gonna pull the drive tomorrow. So mad at myself for such a stupid mistake. Thanks to all for your replies, much appreciated.

Mr Gadgets knows his sh@t i always read anything he posts