2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

mkgrady

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Jul 21, 2007
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Engine ran normal for 65 miles yesterday at mostly cruising speed pushing a 20 Grady. With another 15 miles left to go to get back to port the engine started to "thud". I can't think of a better way to describe it. It doesn't feel like it is shutting off and turning back on. It may be what is happening but it happens so fast I can't tell.

At cruising speed the thud is really noticable. When I first heard it I thought I bumped something solid in the water. Then not knowing what to do I reduced speed to 5 knots and 1500 RPM. At this speed it thuds with much less intensity. And I suspect the biggest clue is that it thuds on a regulare basis. I timed it a few times and it thudded every 28 to 38 seconds. After running another 12 miles at 1500 RPMs it just stopped thudding and began to run normal. I then put it through different speed ranges for the final 3 mile run in and everything seemed normal.

Anybody have any ideas what was causing the noise?
 

daselbee

Commander
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Jan 20, 2009
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2,765
Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

Sounds like the forward gear and the clutch dog are slipping. If so, LU rebuild time. Any metal in the gear oil?

You MIGHT be able to stop it by making sure the shift rod is adjusted for the proper lenght. Anyone had the LU off lately?
 

mkgrady

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Jul 21, 2007
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Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

Thanks for the reply. I will look at the gear oil for signs of metal. The water pump was changed late last year and has been used very little since (until yesterday).

If it is one of the two problems you mention does it make sense that it would run normal, then have the problem and later run normal again?

BTW, this 10 year old engine has about 200 hours on it.
 

daselbee

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Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

It is really only one problem. A shift rod height adjustment that is wrong might make the forward and clutch dog slip or jump teeth. It feels like you have hit something, and it does it when under heavy load more than light load.

If the clutch dog and forward gear is worn, then shift rod height adjustment will not help.

When you shift into gear, do not linger thru the shift. Shift firmly, and it will clunk into gear. Shifting slowly and "lingering thru the shift" is a normal cause for clutch dog wear.
 

mkgrady

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Jul 21, 2007
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Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

So, does it make sense that when my water pump was changed, the mechanic may have not properly adjusted the shift rod correctly?

I am careful about shifting crisply into gear to avoid grinding gears. I guess looking at the oil will tell me something. But I imagine there will be metal in the oil even if it is a shift rod adjustment after running that way for a couple of hours.

When I was having this problem yesterday, putting the engine in reverse and giving it gas did not sound normal either.
 

daselbee

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Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

So, does it make sense that when my water pump was changed, the mechanic may have not properly adjusted the shift rod correctly?

Yes.

I am careful about shifting crisply into gear to avoid grinding gears. I guess looking at the oil will tell me something. But I imagine there will be metal in the oil even if it is a shift rod adjustment after running that way for a couple of hours.

Good shift technique. Hope for the best on the metal/oil check.

When I was having this problem yesterday, putting the engine in reverse and giving it gas did not sound normal either.

Hmmmmmm. Have a look for the metal in the oil.

Please post back.
 

mkgrady

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Jul 21, 2007
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Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

I dediced to take it back to the dealer because he also had replaced the shift cables when he replaced the water pump. Seems whatever is wrong it likely is something he did wrong. When I brought it to him he indicated it could be the shift rod. I think he also indicated it could be a shift cable adjustment.
 

mkgrady

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Jul 21, 2007
Messages
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Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

It turned out to be the shift cable was out of adjustment. He first checked the LU oil and it had very little metal on the drain plugs. He then drained the LU and it looked good. He then backed the boat into the water and played with the shifter. That's when he decided the shift cable was out of adjustment.

I only had a couple of hours on the motor since he changed the shift cable last year. I do wonder if he should have adjusted the cable at that time, or is this just one of those things that can happen?
 

wilde1j

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Apr 15, 2002
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5,964
Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

You bet he should have adjusted it correctly.
 

boobie

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Nov 5, 2009
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20,826
Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

The only bad thing about a forward gr and shift dog jumping a couple of times is that after that they wear out very fast. Mtr should been set up from the start correctly.
 

mkgrady

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Jul 21, 2007
Messages
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Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

The only bad thing about a forward gr and shift dog jumping a couple of times is that after that they wear out very fast. Mtr should been set up from the start correctly.

Is there anything I can do or avoid to make them last longer? Will I get any warning that they are wearing out and getting ready to fail? Is the fix to rebuild the lower unit? If yes, how much should that cost me? Thanks for all the replys.
 

wilde1j

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Apr 15, 2002
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5,964
Re: 2001 150 Ficht Thudding.

You've already gotten your warning: popping out of gear and slamming back in. Parts are expensive. Look on BRP Evinrude site. Clutch dog and fwd gear at a minimum needed usually.
 
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