opus68

I bought it new from Tracker marine, who operates from the bass pro shops. I have to take partial responsibility. I do my own minor servicing, and I put off changing the lower unit oil. I should have done it this summer and didn't. I was really kicking myself for procrastinating, but I don't believe the fact that the oil was old should have caused such massive damage. What servicing would have done was filled the lower unit again, which might have prevented the damage, assuming there was no major leak. I might have also noticed some metal in the oil at that point, and realized something was wrong. As to where the oil was going, it must have been leaking a very small amount from somewhere, unless the original quantity was low when it came from the dealer. There was no evidence of water in the oil.

The fact that I was partially responsible and the unit is out of warranty makes me hesitant to really raise a big stink. I think documenting the problem and notifying the company is fine. It's a costly lesson for me, but it could have been worse.