7.4gi/sx Running on plane then high rev, no shift to forward or reverse

[wmubronco]

Read a lot so far since 5am this morning. Had a nice long tow from BoatUS yesterday from Ambassador Bridge all the way back to marina.

What a great day to only run into the issue.

Didn't have the correct size socket with me to take OD cover off and inspect cable linkage, but hoping its just a cotter pin failure. No burnt rubber smell. With engine off could rotate the prop in one direction. I was checking underneath shift/throttle arm inside cabin but at first glance didn't appear to be disconnected there. It was late in the day and 2 kids aboard..... no time or tools to get cover off.

Heading back down soon to inspect.

 

[tpenfield]

Did you ask the kids their opinion of the problem?

I'm thinking the coupler gave out . . . probably not the connifully pin, but maybe . . .

 

[wmubronco]

Did you ask the kids their opinion of the problem?

I'm thinking the coupler gave out . . . probably not the connifully pin, but maybe . . .

Hah, was just told "you gotta wave goodbye with the prop" by my 3 year old.

Alright so down at boat now. It's not the cotter pin. Shifting fwd or rev looks like all the mechanical parts work to get the shift lever shoe to go back and forth. In either fwd or rev the prop spins freely in either direction.

Do this indicate the coupler? If so where the parts diagram for that assembly? Currently working at the slip with OD in water. Never a fun method. Do I need to pull this outta the water to get to next troubleshooting step?

 

[wmubronco]

all seems good in here.

Just need a pointer on where the coupler is located. Is it what connected upper drive to lower drive?

 

[dubs283]

Just need a pointer on where the coupler is located. Is it what connected upper drive to lower drive?

yes, it connects the upper and lower driveshafts

1) boat out of water on trailer or stands
2) remove drive and verify operation by rotating splined input/drive shaft with drive in gear, check for propshaft rotation. if propshaft rotates with drive in FWD and REV then the coupler between the upper and lower is intact
3) with drive off inspect engine coupler which is mounted to engine flywheel

the only time i've seen the driveshaft coupler between the upper/lower in the drive fail is with an underwater strike, seeing as how you lost propulsion while underway my guess is the engine coupler has failed

 

[wmubronco]

Won't have time to get to it today. So as I mentioned, whether gear is in fwd or rev, the drive shaft spins freely in either direction and almost sounds like a roulette board ticker or small bearing ticking. The drift shaft should be locked from moving in one direction depending on the gear engaged, correct?

 

[dubs283]

The drift shaft should be locked from moving in one direction depending on the gear engaged, correct?

yes, propshaft will not spin counterclockwise when in FWD, not spin clockwise in REV (RH propeller)

did you happen to check to drive fluid level? possible you lost lube and destroyed the upper gearset

 

[wmubronco]

yes, propshaft will not spin counterclockwise when in FWD, not spin clockwise in REV (RH propeller)

did you happen to check to drive fluid level? possible you lost lube and destroyed the upper gearset

I did not, as almost busted a knuckle trying to loosen with flathead screw driver. Plus 3 yr old was getting a little restless. Figured it has to come out water anyways for inspection, will try to check fluid then. I never smelled any burnt rubber nor any loud noises when it went out. I feel when it when out the drive shaft would not rotate in opposite direction of gear it was in, but now today after being towed for about 45 minutes the drive shaft spins in either direction.

Just trying to recap all the events since it went out when we were up on plane.

 

[wmubronco]

Do you recommend I start investigating at the shift plate assembly (from picture above) or disassemble lower drive when I get it out of the water?

 

[dubs283]

follow the procedures outlined in post #5, if all checks out then you can start investigating elsewhere

 

[wmubronco]

2) remove drive and verify operation by rotating splined input/drive shaft with drive in gear, check for propshaft rotation. if propshaft rotates with drive in FWD and REV then the coupler between the upper and lower is intact

Having the propeller removed as to just exposing the drive shaft, and it freely moved in either direction when either in FWD or REV. Is the the same was what you are referring to?

 

[dubs283]

Having the propeller removed as to just exposing the drive shaft, and it freely moved in either direction when either in FWD or REV. Is the the same was what you are referring to?

no, the input shaft i was referring to inserts into the engine coupler. pull the drive and you will see it attached to the u-joint assy. rotate this shaft with the drive in gear and observe the propshaft (that the propeller installs on) for rotation

 

[wmubronco]

no, the input shaft i was referring to inserts into the engine coupler. pull the drive and you will see it attached to the u-joint assy. rotate this shaft with the drive in gear and observe the propshaft (that the propeller installs on) for rotation

Figured as much after I typed my reply. Ill keep this updated as soon as I can get to it again. Work week going to be tough but perhaps I can get it out of the water mid week.

I appreciate the feedback.

 

[wmubronco]

Marina told me hopefully by mid week they'll get a chance to look at it.

 

[wmubronco]

Ahhh man, worst news. Being told no bearing and gear and you can move shaft side to side. Propeller shaft is bent as well. Recommended upper and lower replacement. I have a few photos if anyone is interested.

Unfortunately really hard to locate parts for this outdrive. Luckily there's a place down in LaSalle, MI that is a used boat graveyard. Called and they said they should be able to help repair outdrvie and or replace either or both units.

Original outdrive from engine nameplate:
3868386
Sn T00813638

Otudrive thats on it now (mustve been replaced at some point):
3868052
Sn T0779609
Ratio 1.51

 

[wmubronco]

 

[wmubronco]

Lower unit pinion gear was split into 3 pieces.

Prop Shafter replaced as well since it was bent. They resealed lower and upper, refilled, and charged for 5 hours labor.

Original marina should hopefully be getting it back together and in water by the weekend.