White residue on prop shaft, thrust washer, inside prop etc.

[ryno1234]

I took my prop off because I noticed vibration after a big wave at a heavy throttle the last time I was on the water.

I noticed that there was a lot of white residue on areas of the prop shaft, etc. What is this?

IMG 8647 — Postimages

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[kd4pbs]

The wrong kind of grease?

 

[ryno1234]

It's kinda chaulky. On the inside of the prop hub, that same white residue is more gummy.

 

[Texasmark]

Lubriplate brand grease (in most auto stores) is commonly used in marine environments as it stays put and stays greasy in marine environments.....its white.

 

[StewartL]

The white residue is likely dried salt or oxidation from water exposure, especially if you're in saltwater. It could also be leftover grease or anti-corrosion coating breaking down. Clean it off and check for corrosion or damage.

 

[cyclops222]

In freshwater I had too much oil in the gas / oil mixture. Looked like lumps of cream cheese on lower unit.
Motor has separate exhaust tube and prop.

 

[ryno1234]

For what it's worth - I cleaned this off of the shaft / thrust washer using parts cleaner no problem. Makes me think it was dried grease.

However, after knocking the hub out of the prop, there was a bunch of a white chalky looking residue in there too. After looking at that further, that looks more like the effects of saltwater because it pitted the inside of the propeller hub area. I took a Dremel brush to it and could expose the pitting beneath the buildup.

 

[airshot]

If using in saltwater, I would put some type of barrier grease to help protect.

 

[dingbat]

Your typical run of the mill saltwater calcium/corrosion buildup.

What is that "white" plate sitting on the on the thrust washer?

Looks like you have aluminum, brass and steel, possibly stainless in contact with each other. Not good in a saltwater environment.

Guessing your sacrificial anode(s) needs replaced.
Is the anode pitted at all?

Check the continuity between the anode and the prop shaft and between the anode and the prop proper. With a good continuity test, check the resistance between the various components. The lower the better