Bad Propeller?

[scl009]

I got my 73 Merc 110 running well.

When I took it out for the first time we weren't breaking any speed records or anything but she seemed to be pushing along. Then all of a sudden the engine reved up and there was a loss of power. The outboard will push the boat at the lowest rpms, but giving it throttle makes no difference. It still shifts into forward, reverse, and neutral seemingly without proplems and the propeller still turns in its respectful rotations. I pulled the propeller and think that the rubber hub may be damaged as a small amount of rubber was crumpled near the thrust washer.

Could this problem be just beacuse of the propeller/hub? When you buy a new propeller do you get a new thrust washer? Or does this not sound like its the propeller at all and that it might be something in the gearbox? I think I could change the propeller by myself but it doesn't look like I can get the inner hub and gearbox out without some special tools/experience I don't have.

In short, Propeller still turns, but higher rpms makes no difference in output.

Any estimates on how much a repair place would cost? Sorry I'm completely new to boats/outboards and have been trying to read to no avail.

Scott

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Bad Propeller?

sounds like the hub. I would take it to a prop shop. Lower unit will go or not. No sliping. The rubber you found is a sign the hub has sliped.

 

[FastFission]

Re: Bad Propeller?

I agree, that sounds like the hub has slipped. If you want to check, you can use marker or pencil to put a match mark on the hub nut and prop. If it slips when you give it throttle, the match marks will be misaligned afterwards. I suspect, however, that with the symptoms and the crumpled rubber, you've got enough evidence already. I'm afraid I haven't had this issue yet, so I don't know how much it will cost to fix, but I doubt it's too much.

Good Luck

Carl

 

[scl009]

Re: Bad Propeller?

thanks guys for the decisive answers. My propeller has a few chips and dents so I think I'll just replace the whole thing and get the old one rehubbed for a spare.

Looking to getting back on the water for the second time,
Scott

 

[scl009]

Re: Bad Propeller?

I think I lucked out and bought the last propeller compatible for my outBoard on this site. After I purchased it, the product number became unavailable, but it did ship and should be here tuesday. I've been try.ing to read on what lubricant to use and there seems to be a couple different ideas. My selco says to use "perfect seal no. 4.". Others have stated to use Coat the propeller shaft with marine grease. I currently have marine grease and a large bottle of the grey antiseeze. Which would y'all use, or should I buy another lubricant. I can't find the perfect seal no 4 on the inter web.

Thanks
Scott

 

[merc850]

Re: Bad Propeller?

Perfect seal is available from a Merc dealer, you can use it to stop corrosion of the prop hub to shaft and sealing crankcases, lower units; on machined threads and gaskets etc. They also have anti-corrosion and multi-purpose greases that are good.

 

[scl009]

Re: Bad Propeller?

ok Got my new michigan wheel propeller today from iboats.

Went ahead and greased everything up really well and put it together. The inner thrust hub and outter thrust hub didn't seem to fit the new propeller as well as the old one, but I snugged the propeller nut up to 10 ft lbs anyway and tested her out in a 55 gallon drum and it seems to be working great.

Below are picks of the inner thrust hub and how it does not sit flush on the new propeller. Is this normal, is my propeller gonna fall off once I get out on the lake/in the marsh?

First pic is of old thrust hub and which sits all the way down in the old propeller to the red arrow.
Second is the inner thrust hub in the new propeller portraying how it doesn't sit flush.

 

[Jeanne95]

Re: Bad Propeller?

In short, Propeller still turns, but higher rpms makes no difference in output.

 

[scl009]

Re: Bad Propeller?

Jeanne?

It seems to be working great, I'm just worried I did something wrong. I don't want to lose the nice shiny new propeller. I'm gonna take it out on the lake tomorrow to see how well it's really working I guess.