prop not spining with motor in gear

[globtrotter121]

I have a 1995 225hp mariner, I was on the water running at about 25mph when out of no where the RPM's sky rocketed and the boat stops. So I go to neutral quickly and then try shifting back into gear. No luck forward or reverse (RPM's rise with throttle movement, but prop does not spin). I have checked the shift cables and all is well. With the motor in gear and me spinning the prop manually it has resistance and makes the clicking noise that indicates its in gear. I removed the lower unit and the shifting rod seems to be fine, drained the lower unit oil and the only thing that caught my eye is there was a little more metal shavings on the magnetic screw than I've seen before (however, not a crazy amount). I haven't taken apart any of the lower unit yet, I would really like to hear what other people thought before I go through that process. Any advice is appreciated

 

[verado7]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

maybe a spun prop -

 

[Outsider]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

..and me spinning the prop manually it has resistance and makes the clicking noise that indicates its in gear.

It's probably not actually in gear if you can turn the prop by hand. The clicking noise is not a good noise ...

 

[CharlieB]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

It is normal for the cammed engagement dogs to click' when spinning the prop CW in Forward gear.

Reverse should positively lock in both directions.

A spun hub is not easy to detect turning it by hand.

Close inspection of the rubber between the prop barrel and the inner splined coupler may reveal a small line of melted rubber beaded up.

Sometimes you may get it to slip by standing on the prop while in Reverse, but not always.

Paint a line across the hub and prop barrel, try it again in the water, then look at your line to see if it is still straight. Better yet, bolt on your SPARE prop.

Repost what you find.

 

[globtrotter121]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

Thanks everyone for your inputs i'll test to see if its a spun prop today or tomorrow and i'll post what I find.

 

[globtrotter121]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

ok did the test to see if I had a spun prop, and i don't think I do because the two marks I made on the prop and the shaft are still lined up. Plus the prop never moved when I put the motor in gear (in or out of water). So on to another question, I have the lower unit and prop off and when I Turn the drive shaft by hand should the prop shaft also spin because it doesn't. Also spinning the drive shaft by hand seems to very ridged (aka hard to spin in some spots then easier in others).. Again any help would be appreciated thanks...

 

[CharlieB]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

This doesn't sound good.

Is there ANY up and down movement in the vertical shaft?

Remove the water pump assy and try again.

It is possible that either the vertical shaft broke just below the water pump

OR

the pinion gear broke.

Either way, if the shifter is rotated off of both detents, the unit would be in forward gear, when rotating the vertical shaft does NOT rotate the prop shaft, then the unit must come apart to find the problem and repair it.

 

[tom hemphill]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

I have twin 225 hp 1997 mercury motors on my 2540 robalo and the same thing has happened to me five times in the past three years...each time the factory approved motor repair shop has replaced the hubs and can not give me a reason why it keeps happening. I live on the coast in south texas and run at about 4000 rpms in the bay with no problems, but when I go off shore into the gulf I go out about 25 miles at 2100 rpms because of the waves and do fine, but returning at about 3100 rpms, one prop stops turning about ten miles off shore and the 2nd motor goes out about one mile from shore...can anyone tell me why and what I can do to prevent it from happening again

 

[tom hemphill]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

I have twin 225 hp 1997 mercury motors on my 2540 robalo and the same thing has happened to me five times in the past three years...each time the factory approved motor repair shop has replaced the hubs and can not give me a reason why it keeps happening. I live on the coast in south texas and run at about 4000 rpms in the bay with no problems, but when I go off shore into the gulf I go out about 25 miles at 2100 rpms because of the waves and do fine, but returning at about 3100 rpms, one prop stops turning about ten miles off shore and the 2nd motor goes out about one mile from shore...can anyone tell me why and what I can do to prevent it from happening again

 

[globtrotter121]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

Thanks everyone for your inputs I am in the process of taking apart the lower unit if anyone has any inputs on how to get off a bearing carrier retainer and the nut that keeps the drive shaft in, i would appreciate that very much (neither of them are rusted, I just cant seem to loosen them)..

P.S. CharlieB there is no vertical movement in the drive shaft and i've taken off the waterpump trying to remove the drive shaft and I cant see any damage to the drive shaft.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: prop not spining with motor in gear

Tom,

Please start your own tread and we can help you figure out your individual problem.