GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

[theginns]

First off I have a 1985 mercruiser 5.7 v8 350 I/O. As we were coming in today, the boat all of a sudden stopped. I was getting no alarm, but looked at the temperature gauge it was at 220. There was kind of a grinding sound when we stopped and the throttle was still engage, but the prop was not spinning. I come to neutral on the throttle, the grinding noise stopped, and when I put it back in gear....nothing. The prop doesn't spin, but the contols are shifting. I hooked the ears up and started her up, and no water was coming out of the exaust, and the temp gauge started rising quickly. The motor starts right up with no problem.....any suggestions???

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

Sounds like something let go in the out-drive, and the waterpump located there is not spinning. With the engine off, in gear, you should not be able to turn the prop. If you can, I would say that stripped gears or a broken shaft are the cause. Drain the gearlube and look for metal.

 

[theginns]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

I just took the plug out of the lower unit to drain the oil, and there are metal shavings stuck to it. With the throttle in forward and reverse and the engine off, the prop will spin and there is a clicking noise. Any idea what gear that would be that would affect both fwd and reverse?

 

[theginns]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

Is there a secret to getting the lower unit apart from the upper unit on the outdrive? I took off the four bolts and the bolt aft and the nut forward. The lower unit is not dropping.

 

[weatherz]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

Hex bolt securing the trim tab needs to come off, or is that your bolt aft? Should separate.

 

[cuzner]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

I'd suggest you buy a manual of some type before you get into tearing down your sterndrive too much. some web sites have general descripion of how to this ( mercstuff.com).<br /><br /> Jim

 

[vipzach]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

I'd agree with cuzner, you really need a manuel if you don't have one. Here is a link to pretty good online manuels you can start with.<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/srvcovr.pdf

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

Just in-case you are not aware of this, there are a few specialty tools and some precise proceedures that are required to do any real outdrive work (replacing a gear or shaft, etc.). My advice would be not to proceed unless you have someone who is experienced to lend a hand. Even if you are able to isolate if the problem is upper or lower related, there may still be metal chips in the other half.

 

[Don S]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

Below is a link to the Mercruiser service manual for your drive. Read sections 3A and 3B very carefully.<br />The rest of the manual if very helpful also.<br /><br /> Service Manual #6

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

could also be a bad coupler

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

could also be a bad coupler

Or u-joints but they wouldn't cause chips in the oil. I think hes going in the right direction. Kinda curious to see what turns up.

 

[theginns]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

I do have a manual, that's how I got the lower unit off. However, I have come to a stopping point when I removed the shift shaft and found metal shavings on it. I am not gonna even attempt to go any further by trying to replace any gears. I guess I saved a little money by taking the lower unit off and just having to take that into the mechanics. Just to summarize, when the engine was off and I shifted to either forward or rev., I was getting a clicking when I turned the prop(I know, the prop is not suppose to turn while in gear). Does sound like I have found the problem to be in the lower unit? How expensive is it to rebuild one? Thanks to all on this one.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

When you say the prop is not supposed to spin while in gear - you do know that it will spin, and click, one way, but will engage and stop when spun the other direction, right? (I am assuming you have an alpha 1?) In other words, with the drive in forward gear, the prop can be spun clockwise by hand and you will hear a clicking noise. When you try and spin it counterclockwise it will stop. The opposite for reverse.<br /><br />I recently had a similar problem, (read here), and it turned out to be a broken driveshaft, ( pics here). I found out that it is cheaper, and much better to just buy a new aftermarket outdrive if it turns out you have major internal problems requiring new gears and shafts.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

By the way - I notice now that you are in New Prt Richey - that's where I am going to pick up my outdrive -- Sterndrive Engineering.

 

[theginns]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

Learning more and more everyday. I found out that I have a generation II outdrive because it is installed to the upper unit with four outside bolts, two on each side.<br />FISHERMARK...where are you getting your outdrive from???? Are you getting a good deal? I have a mechanic that is a friend of my neighbor who does work on the side and on weekends for $50.00 an hour labor. Is that good?

 

[vipzach]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

I don't know about others and the rates in their area, but most around here charge between $65-$75 per hour. The people I like and trust charge $65. If you can trust him $50 per hour doesn't sound bad. If you already know how to get the unit off why not just reinstall the new (rebuilt) one that you buy?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

I'm getting mine from Sterndrive Engineering in New Port Richey - web page<br />As I mentioned, the parts can add up quickly - as can the labor. Doesn't hurt to get prices on both. (Ruilding yours versus buying new).

 

[proline2550]

Re: GOT TOWED IN ----- NEED HELP

Had the exact same problem with a Chris Craft of the same year and model Mercruiser. Definitely a bad coupler man, no water pump spinning, and no prop. Towed home, sucked bad. That's how I learned to take a drive off every year and grease it with spline grease. Like the man says...over and over and over. The wrong grease is better than no grease, but in this case use the right grease. Bad side is, to rplace it you have to pull the engine :-(