Low water pickup

[BW23]

I just received a new non-OEM lower unit for my 97 MERC 225 EFI ,30". Motor is on a 23' Whaler

The new aluminum casting is slightly different as it has water intakes on the front area of the cone. It appears that these are for low water.

I run in shallow water quite a bit and I'm concerned that these intakes will enable alot of sand to enter my cooling system leading to cooling problems.
Anyone else have a similar lower unit and experienced any problems with this design??

[progression22]

I HAVE THE SAME SET UP A 98 250 EFI WITH THE NEWER STYLE GEARCASE. I RUN IN SHALLOW WATER ALL THE TIME AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH SAND BUT SEAWEED GET STUCK IN THERE....YOU WILL BE FINE.

[YELLOWSS]

do you have a tempature gauge or a alarm? thats wise. the low water pick ups are great, thats all i run, but if a plastic bag or trash covers the holes "look out".
roy

[Fish]

don't forget inline water pressure gauge as well.

[Hooty]

I'd trust a water pressure gauge a long time before a I'd trust the temp gauge.

c/6
Hooty

[BW23]

Thanks guys,

I do have a temp gauge, no water pressure.

Do you have any breakin tips??? This is a new non OEM lower.

Dave

[Raceman]

What do you mean by "non OEM"? OEM means original equipment manufacturer. To the best of my knowledge nobody besides Merc is building gearcases for Merc motors.

[BW23]

I purchased the new lower gearcase from boatfix.com


They are a reseller for these guys.

http://www.obrparts.com/CatItems.asp?MFG=ME&CAT=GC6


Mercury and OBR purchase the castings from the same company.

Merc offers a 90 day warranty. OBR's is 1 year.


Dave

[Techno]

If you can run the LU straight up, or close, through shallow water you won't suck up sand. BUT if you start trimming it up for clearance those LWP holes pivot to the lowest point.
Shallow water and the now lousy thrust angle make those pickups bottom feeders. They will suck up sand if right at the limits of depth. I mention the thrust angle because as you trim up you force the transom down reducing your available depth. A lose lose scenario.

[Raceman]

"Mercury and OBR purchase the castings from the same company"

OB, you're throwin' up some info hear I've never heard before: So you're saying that Merc outsources their gearcase castings and then allows the foundry to sell the same castings new to other people for the sake of competing with them?

Knowing Merc as I do, somehow I doubt that very seriously.

[KMA1/4master]

HUH ?

[Techno]

The linked site says remanufactored. They rebuild them not build them.

[BW23]

ME-GC6-9403-200DFI-BN Mercury New Lower 200 DFI/225/250 3.0 94-03 $2,625.75 $250.00

I don't want this to become a pissing match, but the text above is copied from their web-site.

BTW, I paid much less than retail.

Dave