Daiwa BG 4000 DigiGear spin fishing reel problem diagnosis and how to take apart and service

[@wjstewdog]

My dawia BG 4000 did the exact same thing after about a season and a half. It also caught some jumbo stripers and blue fish. Thanks for the video. A little cleaning and oil and the problem went away. Important to watch the entire video before digging in. Thank you

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for sharing - a clean reel that is kept lubricated will last and last - Dennis

[@davidmcilveen5013]

Thanks Dennis, I was looking forward to this reel,not only for the problem diagnosis,but also to see what it was like inside. Great run down on how to solve the problem,the processes to go through e.t.c. Keep up the great work and stay safe. 🎣

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. It is a nice reel overall - Dennis

[@hothmobile100]

Best reel ever made for the money. Perfect line-Lay, huge main gear, holds lots of line. This reel uses the same bearings found in 500 dollar reels. I don't use this reel because my fishing requires sealed reels but I know this BG is the best reel for the money if you don't need sealed reels. The absolute best spinning reel ever made is the Okuma Makaira.

[@seanwoodburn2616]

I happen to agree. We have had clients pound these and as long as you service them they are bomb proof.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Richard - it is certainly made well. I appreciate the note - Best wishes - Dennis

[@vinnies.5512]

@@seanwoodburn2616 Junk. Mine crapped out the same way after half a season. Common problem with these reels. Stay away,

[@wilbertbenjamin9928]

You done a good job fixing that reel your the man 😊

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks

[@toneseeker4968]

Excellent job! Luckily, you got it working without having to replace any broken parts. I am now "hooked" to your channel. BTW. I just bought the BG 4000 this morning off of Amazon. Now I just need to figure out which rod would go good with it. Thank you for posting this video!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome. Daiwa makes some nice rods to compliment that reel. Dennis

[@christopherjenkins2373]

I worked on two reels today that did not go as planned or hoped. First was a beautiful little Shakespeare 2711 gold spinning reel. I found a broken bail spring that I need to replace if I can find one. This is a late 1970s reel in the 2700 series. I already have one as well as two of the large 2741 reels. I like them and decided to collect a few. Second reel was a 2080 Sea Wonder Shakespeare. I got it working fine but I could not get the rotor off so I had to grease and lubricate without removing the pinion and bearing. The difficult problem was the spring the operates the anti-reverse lever had come out. I had to totally dismantle the anti-reverse that has two different springs and reset everything correctly. I bought the reel for parts but it looks very nice and operates perfectly. I just wish I could get the rotor off and be able to remove the bearing and pinion. You did a great job on this reel Dennis. It turned out beautifully!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks Chris. Sometimes those old reels are stubborn and it is best to let that sleeping dog lie without removing the rotor. Best wishes - Dennis

[@billzinkhan6403]

I saw some other channels that swear by packing in a lot of Grease because it's going to be in saltwater.. and they also overpacked the bearings with tons of Grease. And all I can see happening if not serviced properly every 6 months or so is what happened to this real a lot of gooped up grease and problems.. I am a more believer in your method, with oil on the bearings Grease on the bushings and light grease on the gearing.. I am actually going to be working on one of these today nice job.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Packing with grease is an Old Timers way of waterproofing the reel. The problem is exactly as you noted. The grease dries and the reel bogs down. Also, the grease traps micro sand and salt and that becomes abrasive. If you are going to do it, you need to change the grease at least once a year - Thanks - Dennis

[@dkharry]

Great video ! Clearly explained. Understandable... ...My BG4000 has started to feel like it's wobbling on retrieve. Line lay seems fine. Shaft doesn't seem to be bent, although I did recently have a problem seating the spool. Could not get drag knob on. That's ok now. The wobbling tho 🙈

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Check for a bent bail wire. That could cause the out of balance wobble

[@dkharry]

@@2ndChanceTackle cool thank you Dennis! I'll give it a look 🤙🏽

[@jpdunamislodge]

Passed on your Chanel to some guys up here in Alaska on one of our fishing FB groups needing service and repairs. Hope that you get some business from Alaska.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you! Best wishes - Dennis

[@Anth_D]

Great video, these are easily one of the best reels for the money. I go quite heavy on the grease as they are susceptible to saltwater but very hard to beat if looked after.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the note. These reels are nicely balanced and perform well. Like you said, kept them maintained and they will keep fishing - Dennis

[@jurgenstroda6338]

I turkey wish that when you do your reel videos, that you spend additional time on all reel anti reverse systems. Especially on the 4000 x diawa fish reel. And all others. Thanks. JURGEN ST.RODA

[@2ndChanceTackle]

OK - I will try to show more of it. The A/R clutch does not require maintenance, so I normally just mention it in passing. It just needs to be kept grease free for best operation - Dennis

[@marcnomad9736]

Nice work Dennis. I have this reel and haven’t used it yet. I think it was a tackle advisor guy recommend packing marine grease into the handle axle area. I like your advise better. Rinse after use and annual servicing.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the note and the feedback - Best wishes for great fishing with the reel - Dennis

[@rebornspirit1047]

packing a reel with marine grease can go along way. I tend to pack my reels with grease and still rinse them down after use and than clean them off as well. I've had a Shimano Saragosa 6k for 5 years that I serviced two years ago and its still working as if it was out of the box. the only thing i do now on it is pack the roller bearing with grease cause it tends to go bad after a few outings.

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

I have a couple of these in the 6500 size as boat reels. Great for guests who don't have their own gear. Warning though, they DO NOT keep saltwater out so be ready to service more than usual. If you fish them like I do, on a boat in the ocean, saltwater will get in. This is 100% a service at the end of the season reel. If you wait until the following season and let that saltwater sit for a few months you will have big issues. For $100 my 6500's, which are like a Penn 8000, have caught quality dolphin, blackfin tuna, keeper black grouper, more snapper than one can count, etc. They will catch offshore fish for a hundred bucks. You just have to stay on top of them!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the tips and advice on this one. Well said - Dennis

[@pattyl.174]

Hi Dennis just p picked up a diawa AG 750spinning reel, and the detail open smoothly and closer smoothly with the bell won’t close when the handles turned what to do

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Does the bail move at all? The first thing I would do is get a can of penetrating oil and wet down the sides of the bail where it connects to the rotor. Once it is soaked, manually move the bail wire back and forth. That should break up any dried grease and dirt that may be preventing the bail from operating. If you don't feel the spring compress when you are moving the wire and the oil does not fix it, then you will need to soak off the cover and check for broken parts - Dennis

[@richieg8432]

Dennis, you did not need to remove that screw from the crosswind block. You took it apart like a Penn. Once the main gear and pinion gear are removed you just pull the spool shaft out while still connected to the crosswind block.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

OK - Thanks for the note and tip - Dennis

[@sh1237]

Hey i wonder if you might help me, i was fighting a big fish with this reel, now the handle sometimes spins in both ways, but only in some positions, as if anti reverse clutch isnt engaging, so i cleaned the clutch now its a bit better, it didnt seem damaged. Do you know should i put grease in the clutch, would that make it better or i should leave it dry

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Keep the a/r clutch dry. Make sure the inside sleeve is also dry.

[@johnstanchfield9938]

What are those Micro Driver Set you are using?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Harbor Freight - Pittsburgh brand

[@forehandlooper]

i thought the anti reverse clutch looked a bit rusty - i've replaced a few of these in similar models of reel from daiwa and the part is easy to order from the manufacturer.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks - yes - Daiwa will sell the parts for the newer models. Thanks for the additional information - Dennis

[@Unplugged704]

I have this exact problem. Turning the handle it sticks or feels like something stuck. When I open the bail and turn the handle, the rotor will not turn at all but the axle does move up and down Note- I dropped the reel in the lake for about 15 minutes. I got it back open it up and oiled it. I did not open all the way inside. I may have dropped it a couple times.. no more than 2ft’ up. Wonder if its worth to send it in to fix or just buy new one for $110.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The reel may had been flooded and have some dirt or gunk inside. Please send a note to my email [e-mail] for repair information. Then you can determine whether It it worth it. Thank you Dennis

[@paularmfield4700]

Well done Dennis. Very informative. I would like to ask whether for us Brits, you could service an Okuma Epix Probaitrunner EPB50. Thanks

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I will check it out. I do not have one in my shop, but will add it to my request list - thanks for asking - Dennis

[@paularmfield4700]

@@2ndChanceTackle I love your shows. Very relaxing and informative. Over in UK, we use a lot of baitrunner type reels and they add another level of complexity to servicing.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Yes they do Paul. They combine the top drag and rear drag and a flip switch, so the more moving parts the more complexity. Thanks for the note and for watching - Dennis

[@owenphillips9166]

Thank you Dennis, these are the reels (4000 and 4500) that I use for spinning off my kayak, so I've been hoping you would do this to one of them! One of mine started catching and then stopping, in a similar way to the one you've just fixed. Turns out I'd cracked the case and salt water had gotten in, reacted with the material of the main gear, creating lots of that white corrosion. One question I have: I notice on one of my 4500s that the bearings on the bail arm where the line goes under it are no longer turning as the line is reeled in. Should I just drop some oil in there or somehow get in there? Thanks again, Owen.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That salt water will eat many reels alive. Thanks for the note - Dennis

[@thebuzz2010]

Hi Owen, what is an ideal rod size for spinning with this 4000? I just picked one up

[@owenphillips9166]

@@thebuzz2010 Hi Andy, I've got a 7' Ugly Stik M that works really well with my 4000 off the kayak. Casting off land you could go longer if wanted to, maybe 7'6" or 8'.

[@thebuzz2010]

@@owenphillips9166 thanks owen

[@gabrielgonsalves6532]

Is the diwa bg 4500 airbail saltwater spinning reel made in Japan.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I am not sure. A lot of their reels are currently made in China, but some higher end ones are made in Japan

[@spinosaurus4806]

Very good job but you missed a peace. A rubber o ring that kept the last and small bearing

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks - I will go back and check

[@vinnies.5512]

Dennis, great video as always, thanks! I wanted to say these reels are junk. I have the exact same reel and the same problem happened to me after a 1/2 season use. And I use mine on a boat, so it never sees the surf. I always rinse with fresh water when I get home. Still, mine bound up and was sticking. When I used this great video to disassemble, I found the screw that holds the rotating shaft, to be frozen. I was unable to free the screw. Worse yet, the head stripped out after several attempts to free it. Basically rendering the reel as scrap metal. I think I may have to try and remove it with a dremel, and try to salvage it. But the worst money spent on a reel. $110 for half a season.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the note Vinnie - The few of these that I have seen appear to be problematic. That is not a good sign or endorsement for the reel. Some reels are just quirky. This may be one. Sorry to hear of your experience - Dennis

[@Peter-od7op]

Great vdo ty

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the feedback - Dennis

[@barneyewing2664]

That salt buildup on the main gear shows that no reel is waterproof no matter what the manufacturer says.

[@hothmobile100]

Of course it's not sealed. There is a reason the Van Staal is 800 dollars as well as the Okuma Makaira. My vsb Van Staal gets fished while under water and is still smooth as the day I got it.

[@richieg8432]

The manufacturer does not make any such claim.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

This is not a sealed reel, but they do their best to make it water resistant. - Dennis