Hit Anchor with Outboard, Flywhell Seized Up, Won't Start

Bokomaru

Recruit
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
2
I have a 1996 Mercury force 120 HP outboard. It had been running fine. After fishing for a bit my friend pulled the anchor but didn't stow it-- just left it on the bow, unbeknownst to me. I fired the engine up and took off. When I made a turn the large metal anchor slid off the side into the water and hit the prop, which immediately killed the engine. Now the flywheel won't turn forward. It has a definite stop in it. The starter won't spin it past this stop, and I can't get it to turn either.

What I've done so far:

I pulled the spark plugs which had no effect. Still stuck.

I dropped the lower unit and surprisingly it also had no effect. Still stuck. I was sure the lower end was broken or seized.

I'm at a complete loss. What else could this be?

Thanks so much for your help.
 
Last edited:

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
14,059
How far can the flywheel be rotated in the opposite direct before it stops? I'm suspecting a bent connecting rod, or a broken piston ring snagging on a port
 
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