Hey guys,

Cleaning my Abu Garcia Silver Max, that I got in June for the first time, because I've been having a little trouble with it.  I'll be popping a jerkbait, or squarebill, or snag, and it will free spool and backlash.  I'm going through and getting all the old grease off before I put some new stuff on.  The grease is super black, an built up.  I'm wondering if the grease is supposed to be black, or if it turns that way when it gets dirty.  

Also, if cleaning doesn't work, do you think Bass Pro Shops will take it back and give me a new one?  I still have the receipt and box. 

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks! 

Are you hitting your spool release button? 

Nope

I doubt that they would want it back after you have had it apart.

It's not a Bass Pro brand, and your outside the normal return window.  My guess is you'd have better luck with the warranty at this point, which you'll have to do through the manufacturer.  

 

Usually, the black color comes from dirt and contamination in the grease.  Though it definitely sounds like something is wrong if a reel's grease has already turned black after six months.  Did you drop it in a lake or store it somewhere where it might have gotten exposed to a lot of dust?  

 

Also, are you using braided line?  And if so, did you tie on a backer?  Sometimes braided line will spin on the spool when under pressure.  You either have to wind the first several rotations under heavy pressure or add some kind of backing, like mono or electrical tape.  

57 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I doubt that they would want it back after you have had it apart.

That is what I'm worried about.  I was debating cleaning it, but just decided to, I figured it had been to long for them to take it back.  Thanks!

40 minutes ago, Bankc said:

It's not a Bass Pro brand, and your outside the normal return window.  My guess is you'd have better luck with the warranty at this point, which you'll have to do through the manufacturer.  

 

Usually, the black color comes from dirt and contamination in the grease.  Though it definitely sounds like something is wrong if a reel's grease has already turned black after six months.  Did you drop it in a lake or store it somewhere where it might have gotten exposed to a lot of dust?  

 

Also, are you using braided line?  And if so, did you tie on a backer?  Sometimes braided line will spin on the spool when under pressure.  You either have to wind the first several rotations under heavy pressure or add some kind of backing, like mono or electrical tape.  

I didn't drop it in the lake, or expose it to a lot of dust.  I'm not using braid either.  Thanks!

When I bought the BPS, it had a little bit of line on it, and the paint on the reel seemed kinda scuffed up or worn, in a couple spots.  Also, there is a spot that looks like it has should have a screw, that is missing, before I took it apart or anything.  It is a screw that would hold on reel handle side "plate", so it isn't the biggest deal, since there are three other screws. 

  So in June, you bought a used reel with parts missing, and now you're having problems with it? Is that correct?     jj

I didn't notice the screw missing in June, when I bought it, but I did notice the little bit of line and the scuffed paint.  I noticed the screw a month or two ago. 

This is the first time I have taken it apart, so the screw falling off definitely wasn't my fault. The spot where the screw should be is threaded.

Unless you got a huge discount from bass pro shops for buying a used reel. I would have returned it right after you noticed used line on the reel.

As mentioned above you are likely past the return time with bass pro.

I would contact Garcia to see if their warranty is still valid. there is a one year "limited" warranty for the original purchaser.  If it was used when You bought it, there is no warranty.

here is a link to their warranty site.

https://www.abugarcia.com/pages/abugarcia-warranty

 

good luck. in the past my success with abu's  limited warranty was spotty.

 

 

 

Whats the weather like for you right now? 

 

On some reels with the bearing in plastic cage type anti reverse bearings, the anti reverse will fail in cold temps (40 or lower). This is fixed by cleaning and adding oil only by swabbing the metal cylinder the bearings ride on. Although it sounds like there are bigger problems at this point ...

Thanks Russ,  if I can't get it fixed, I'll contact them.

28 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Whats the weather like for you right now? 

 

On some reels with the bearing in plastic cage type anti reverse bearings, the anti reverse will fail in cold temps (40 or lower). This is fixed by cleaning and adding oil only by swabbing the metal cylinder the bearings ride on. Although it sounds like there are bigger problems at this point ...

I took it out in some below 40 weather, awhile back, and noticed it.  I took it out a few days ago when it was warm, and noticed nothing although I wasn't popping anything.  I didn't notice, till the weather got colder.  This might be my problem, along with needing some new grease, thanks!

The line that was on the real was (looked like) brand new XPS mono, and was the knot securing it to the reel, and 1 1/2" off of that.  The paint scuffing was minimal, but there. 

Flush the heck out of it with a lucas reel oil or a Hot sauce, barely use any grease. Make sure your real is tunes right with your brakes and tuner knob and make sure you use the right line and good line. If nothing works buy a quantum pt smoke s3, you'll never have any problems in any situation, good luck. 

1 hour ago, Russ E said:

Unless you got a huge discount from bass pro shops for buying a used reel. I would have returned it right after you noticed used line on the reel.

As mentioned above you are likely past the return time with bass pro.

I would contact Garcia to see if their warranty is still valid. there is a one year "limited" warranty for the original purchaser.  If it was used when You bought it, there is no warranty.

here is a link to their warranty site.

https://www.abugarcia.com/pages/abugarcia-warranty

 

good luck. in the past my success with abu's  limited warranty was spotty.

 

 

 

 

   I'm afraid from what I understand the situation to be, that this is the correct answer. I hate to say it, but I doubt that you have any recourse.

   That doesn't mean that you can't try, of course.

 

   Good luck!     jj

48 minutes ago, Tuchifabz said:

Flush the heck out of it with a lucas reel oil or a Hot sauce, barely use any grease. Make sure your real is tunes right with your brakes and tuner knob and make sure you use the right line and good line. If nothing works buy a quantum pt smoke s3, you'll never have any problems in any situation, good luck. 

I'll give this a try, thanks!  I would be looking at one of these, if I had a job.?  I'll be buying a higher end BPS brand reel, with some gift cards I got for Christmas.   

28 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   I'm afraid from what I understand the situation to be, that this is the correct answer. I hate to say it, but I doubt that you have any recourse.

   That doesn't mean that you can't try, of course.

 

   Good luck!     jj

I bought the reel for full price, so I'm definitely gonna try.  Didn't think BPS would sell me a used reel.?  But my problem might just be it is cold. 

Starting High School fishing tournaments in March, so this is really frustrating.  Just trying to get together a few baitcasters and spinning reels before the season starts. 

Thanks for all y'alls help!!!!

If you have a screw missing, then a professional like Mike at DVT would know the correct screw to replace it.  I've never looked (closely) at a schematic so I don't know if the correct screw would be listed there.

 

I have pulled a couple spools out of my reels, but have never noticed any black grease in the reel.

Sounds like your ARB(Anti Reverse Bearing) may be dirty, over lubed, have grease on it, or thicker oil. Clean it and apply a tiny amount of reel OIL.

Intermittent AR slippage shouldn’t be enough free spool to cause a backlash. My gut reaction was that the heel of your hand is hitting the thumb bar just enough to disengage briefly. Just keep an eye in that. Lucas is not a solvent and hot sauce has no place near any reel imo, but definitely not as a flush. To clean the AR without pressing it out of the side plate Put some simple green in a dish, soak, swish and rinse with hot water. Let dry and oil with a swab and light oil. 

12 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Intermittent AR slippage shouldn’t be enough free spool to cause a backlash. My gut reaction was that the heel of your hand is hitting the thumb bar just enough to disengage briefly. Just keep an eye in that. Lucas is not a solvent and hot sauce has no place near any reel imo, but definitely not as a flush. To clean the AR without pressing it out of the side plate Put some simple green in a dish, soak, swish and rinse with hot water. Let dry and oil with a swab and light oil. 

Thank you!  I'll be giving this a try!  When the reel free spools, the handle will also start spinning.