Locked Transmission?

[ScottG76]

I just bought an older boat and when I go to spin the prop, it will move about a quarter turn and then stop. I was told that the motor is good, and it looks like it's in good shape, except for the fact that it's seems to be stuck in gear. How do I go about getting it back into neutral? Can I try to start it while it's like this? I was told that you can't start it while it's in gear. Or I might break something if I try.

 

[dad's boat]

Re: Locked Transmission?

you are right you might break something if you try to start, because there might be a broken gear in the gear case. By all means I'm not a boat machinec thought. just a bad speller.

 

[dad's boat]

Re: Locked Transmission?

also what type of motor and what year, the guys on this web site are like the boat god's and they will ask that ?.

 

[ScottG76]

Re: Locked Transmission?

also what type of motor and what year, the guys on this web site are like the boat god's and they will ask that ?.
/QUOTE]
It's a 60 HP Evinrude 3 cylinder but I don't know what year. I'm stuck on base till Friday and didn't think about getting the serial numbers before I left. DOH! I was told it was a 1970 engine, but couldn't tell you for sure.

 

[dad's boat]

Re: Locked Transmission?

another idea I had is if it has a cable shift it could be rusted inside the cable, if it is an electric shift it could be a selinode. If it's cable shift disconect the shift wire at the motor and try to manually shift it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Locked Transmission?

If it's an electric shift the gearcase is always IN GEAR with the engine stopped. That's normal. When the engine starts, an oil pressure system in the gearcase automatically puts the gearcase in neutral. If its a cable shifted gearcase, disconnect the cable at the engine and put the lever in neutral. If you can now spin the prop the cable needs adjusting. If you can't spin the prop in neutral the lower unit is indeed locked up.

 

[F_R]

Re: Locked Transmission?

Silvertip got it right. It is what is called a Hydro-Electric gearcase. It is ALWAYS in gear when not running! Just so you know, it is actually shifted by hydraulic pressure from an oil pump. If the motor is not running, the oil pump is not turning, and it has no oil pressure to shift it. With no oil prssure it defaults to forward gear as a safety feature so you can make it back home if the system fails.

The electric part only operates two valves which control the oil flow direction.

If it ain't broke, it doesn't need fixing. But do make sure it is full of the correct oil (OMC/BRP Premium Blend, from a dealer).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Locked Transmission?

this is a good explaination: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=166519&highlight=electric+shift

 

[ScottG76]

Re: Locked Transmission?

If it's an electric shift the gearcase is always IN GEAR with the engine stopped. That's normal. When the engine starts, an oil pressure system in the gearcase automatically puts the gearcase in neutral. If its a cable shifted gearcase, disconnect the cable at the engine and put the lever in neutral. If you can now spin the prop the cable needs adjusting. If you can't spin the prop in neutral the lower unit is indeed locked up.

Ok. I think it maybe frozen pistons. I talked to a friend that said you should still be able to move the flywheel, and mine doesn't budge. I'll try to unfreeze the pistons first and see if that helps.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Locked Transmission?

remove the plugs, tilt the engine as high up as you can get it. put marvel mystery oil in the cylinder, and forget it for a day or two. the try to free it.

 

[ScottG76]

Re: Locked Transmission?

Piston 2 and 3 are loose, but #1 isn't cooperating. Also, the top of the pistons look quite rusty.
I drained some of the fluid out of the lower unit and it didn't seem very viscous. It has a light color like olive oil and flowed fairly easy. Didn't seem like there was any water in it though.

 

[ScottG76]

Re: Locked Transmission?

Silvertip got it right. It is what is called a Hydro-Electric gearcase. It is ALWAYS in gear when not running! Just so you know, it is actually shifted by hydraulic pressure from an oil pump. If the motor is not running, the oil pump is not turning, and it has no oil pressure to shift it. With no oil prssure it defaults to forward gear as a safety feature so you can make it back home if the system fails.

The electric part only operates two valves which control the oil flow direction.

If it ain't broke, it doesn't need fixing. But do make sure it is full of the correct oil (OMC/BRP Premium Blend, from a dealer).

So my engine is definitely a hydro-electric. My question is since it's in gear, should there be a little play in the prop before it grabs? There's definiely at least a quarter turn of slack before it stops moving in either direction. By slack I mean that it doesn't feel connected to the transmission. I'm worried that there's something bent up in there.

 

[Bindernut]

Re: Locked Transmission?

The way that the gears/dog are machined, yes about a 1/4 turn of play is about right for the prop. Work on getting the powerhead to turn over by hand first...sounds like just a stuck piston(s) to me. Marvel Mystery Oil, Kroil, or PB Blaster are my favorites for getting old two-cycles unstuck. I've gotten several old sled motors turning again with Kroil. It and PB Blaster seem to penetrate better than MMO.

 

[ScottG76]

Re: Locked Transmission?

Pulled the lower unit off today and was able to crank the engine. The problem is definitely in the LU because the prop is still stuck. It will only turn a quarter turn in either direction.
Is it worth pulling it apart and what should I be looking for if I do? How much do you think it would be to have someone take a look at it and possibly do a rebuild?

 

[reload]

Re: Locked Transmission?

It is not to difficult but can be expensive depending on what you find. Could be something simple.