The boat was lent to a family member who attempted to back it off the trailer with the straps still attached, and they apparently reversed with enough power to actually break the straps. The motor no longer went into reverse after it was returned from that trip.
It was used a handful more times with forward only. One day after leaving the boat ramp forward went out about a hundred yards from the ramp. I say it went out, but it would still actually go forward, but only at about walking speed at high rpm's. The boat was trailered right away and I noticed that the nut had come off of the prop. The prop was still there but it slipped right off when I pulled on it. The splines on the prop shaft and inside the prop appear to be in perfect condition.
I would not think that the missing prop nut could be causing the forward and reverse problems and assume that the nut coming off was just a coincidence and is unrelated? The engine seems to still be running fine and I have never heard any grinding or other strange noises. I hope that the problem is not in the gear caes but I am afraid that my worst fear of needing to have the lower unit replaced or rebuilt could be the case. Is there any way to verify this or at least get a clue before tearing it apart? Any other ideas as to what the problem may be?
I may be able to get a '79 lower unit for it if needed, not positive yet. Will a '79 lower unit fit my '82 if I end up having to go that route? I think the years '80-'82 should be compatible for the dt75 and dt85. Any other years that might work? Any help at all is much appreciated! Thanks!
It was used a handful more times with forward only. One day after leaving the boat ramp forward went out about a hundred yards from the ramp. I say it went out, but it would still actually go forward, but only at about walking speed at high rpm's. The boat was trailered right away and I noticed that the nut had come off of the prop. The prop was still there but it slipped right off when I pulled on it. The splines on the prop shaft and inside the prop appear to be in perfect condition.
I would not think that the missing prop nut could be causing the forward and reverse problems and assume that the nut coming off was just a coincidence and is unrelated? The engine seems to still be running fine and I have never heard any grinding or other strange noises. I hope that the problem is not in the gear caes but I am afraid that my worst fear of needing to have the lower unit replaced or rebuilt could be the case. Is there any way to verify this or at least get a clue before tearing it apart? Any other ideas as to what the problem may be?
I may be able to get a '79 lower unit for it if needed, not positive yet. Will a '79 lower unit fit my '82 if I end up having to go that route? I think the years '80-'82 should be compatible for the dt75 and dt85. Any other years that might work? Any help at all is much appreciated! Thanks!