Lower unit Faux pas

[pfluemis]

I took my boat out a second time this week. I went across the lake and achored down. I fished a few hours then pulled up and moved. While underway the second time, I started to hear a howl from the motor. I slowed to a stop and sat for a minute deciding which spot I wanted to head for. I took off again and heard the howl again. I then slowed and the motor died (it's been running a little rough just off idle). I was never going fast, the second time becouse traffic was heavy. GPS was reading in the 6.5-10mph range the whole time. I left the motor off and used the trolling motor the rest of the day. I got to shore and found the unit spins just fine. Smooth and easy. I got home and pulled the drain plug. The oil came out as nice looking as when it went in, BUT, not a lot came out. I must not have filled it as good as I thought I did. I also noticed a couple small slivers of steel on the plug. Should I fill it up and try it again, or should I pull the unit apart becouse something might be damaged. There was the normal light air pressure in the unit when I pulled the top plug, so I think the seals are still fine. The motor is a 1975 Johnson 70hp that I was planning on moving it to my dads slightly smaller boat becouse it is in real nice shape for the year. Very well taken care of. I hate to ruin it, but then again, I don't care to dive into the unit if it's not needed. TIA.

[Whoaru99]

If it were me, I'd fill it and run it easy for a short while and check again for metal and noise. Maybe repeat a couple of times. If the noise goes away and you don't get any significant metal, I'd call it good.

If you continue to get metal curls, chips, or heaven forbid, chunks, then I'd have it looked at.

[pfluemis]

Thanks, I took it out on Osakis last night and it made the noise when I first started out, but then quickly went away and worked smoothly after that.