Does anyone know where this came from? Inside Yamaha lower unit...

[yowoodchuck]

I was helping a friend get his water pump redone on a Yamaha 90 2 Stroke (cica 2007) and when I pulled the lower unit, there was this spring steel clip ring lose on top of the shift mechanism area.  About a 1.15" diameter. (see photos)

Motor ran well, but would heat up will long idles or slow trolling...impeller was very old and missing 2 vanes.  I replaced a bad gasket and the impeller.  I could not figure where the clip ring came from, so I re-assembled, hose tested then ran it on the water for an hour--all works great.

So I am left wondering--where did the clip ring come from, and should I worry.  I looked hard in the repair manual in exploded diagrams and could not find an obvious match.  Any ideas?  Thanks for any and all assistance! 

[fishinwrench]

Looks like the ring from the pivot housing....... 

Goes in the groove seen here 

 

 

 

 

 

No part # shown, so 🤷‍♂️

Typical Yamaha/Honda/Suzuki (Chinese) conundrum. 🙄  

[Ranger520vx]

Looks like you are right Wrench. #10 in breakdown  

[yowoodchuck]

Thank you for the tip and info.  I am not near the boat anymore, and it is going to Canada in a week.  Should he be very worried, or somewhat worried, or not worried.  With your tip, he could maybe get it to a dealer (110 mile round trip).  I suspect the clip has been in the lower unit housing 10 years, judging by the condition of the impeller and how hard it was to get off the shaft...

Thank You again WRENCH!

[yowoodchuck]

And...Thanks to Ranger 520vx.  The additional data is very helpful.  I think my friend just might be able to look at this and check it out and put it back on if it is missing.

 

 

[fishinwrench]

There is a special tool for installing that locking retainer ring, but it can be done with a modified pair of channel lock pliers.    

Basically make sure the groove is nice & clean, then squeeze the ring shut in the groove until it snaps and locks closed.