Lower unit advice needed

[Still Running]

Just went out to work on the boat to get ready and found this crack. As most of you know I picked up this boat last spring and used it all season last year. I never saw this crack till today. I changed the lower unit oil before I put the boat away. You would think if it was there I would have seen it. The way the paint looks around the crack, it looks like it been there, but I don’t know. It has no oil leaking out. What’s your thoughts on this?  Should I try to weld it, replace the lower unit, leave it or buy a new engine HA Ha.
Thanks for the help

Rick

[Hotrod]

   That's not good..  I agree it looks like it's been there a while.  I don't think it would leak oil that high up.. that just looks like a stress crack in my opinion. If you left the motor up and water got into the prop area there and froze it looks like that could have caused it.

This is a good one for Jaws.  I'm sure he's seen this one plenty of times.  welding the Aluminum Housing.. Ekk... 

[Luna Sea 5]

or Dunk..

[L.T.]

Looks like it was stored in the up position to me also.  Welding can be done by a very good welder but might damage seals and or "O" rings.

[Hotrod]

or Dunk..

Right

[PeggyLee]

Rick,I would consider drop/split  the lower unit and take a look inside to see what caused this issue.Maybe some water inside the unit froze and expanded the hairline crack.Maybe you rapped  something in the water and over the winter it expanded.You have to find out what going on inside.

[Still Running]

There was very little water in the oil when I changed it in the fall and the engine was stored down all winter.
I think I am going to look for a lower unit and replace it if I can find one. Need to do a little research to see what year and HP will fit. It’s a 1988 200 HP if anyone comes across something let me know.
Thanks
Rick

[bnusse]

Rick,
I'm going thru the same thing here in Wisconsin. (I'm formally a Jersey guy)fished the "Hook", Raritan, Belmar, Klondike, the whole nine yards...anyway my lower unit has a crack also. I just had it welded and it re-cracked the first time i used it. It didn't appear as deep as the original but still cracked. maybe the welder didn't do a good job. I'm waiting to hear from them. I do know they took the guts out to weld it.
Bill

[Still Running]

Thanks for the heads up Bill
I am looking for another engine. I don't think a weld will hold up and I don't want to deal with it during the season.

Welcome to the site. 

[bnusse]

Rick, here's another idea on that crack. As a temp fix I used a 4" stainless steel clamp around the the end of the housing where the prop slids in. I made sure the retaining lug inside was secure. I used it for a few years like this with no problem. I just made sure I changed the lower unit oil often. I also was not exposed to the salt. I'm along way from that here in Wisconsin. I used it like that on Lk. Mich a fair amount of times. I have now went back to the clamp since the weld the guy used didn't hold. I also did a skin over of JB Marine Weld. Sanded and painted it looks like new. I'll find out this weekend how it works. Walleyes are biting.
Bill

[Still Running]

After looking closer at this. It looks like there is a nut holding the bearing housing and it looks like some corrosion between the nut and the housing broke the case. I am waiting for my welder to look at it before I do anything. If he thinks it will work, I might get a new nut, clean the threads, and give it a try.