I think I Blew my motor! Why and is it fixable?

[802BigC]

Hey guys so here’s the deal. I have an 85 Evinrude 20hp. I’ve ran her all summer. Always worked like a champ. Until yesterday. I ran her for about 30 minutes, and the a loud bang and she died. After that the flywheel won’t spin or turn at all. I trolled all the way home.

when I got home I emptied the gear lube and just about only water came out. I know that’s bad. Think it’s a gasket by the water pump? What would have caused this? The gear lube was brand new at the beginning of summer.

and do you think there is a way to unseize this?

 

[tpenfield]

Do you know if the problem is with the gears or within the powerhead. :noidea:

There are several oil seals in the lower unit and they will wear out. Can you shift into gear/out-of-gear at all?

See if you can take off the lower unit and determine if the LU is what's locked up or if the flywheel still won't turn.

 

[ThomW]

I agree. First pull off the lower unit and see if those gears are spinning or locked up. With the lower off, see if you can then spin the flywheel manually. That will tell you if your big issue is with the lower gears or in the motor--a rod or something else.

 

[802BigC]

Thank you guys that’s great direction. I was so frustrated yesterday and I had to go to work after so I didn’t have time to inspect further than the gear oil.
When I get home today that’s first thing I will do and I’ll report back. Thanks guys.

 

[racerone]

Fact.------Motors generally start for folks.------The assumption is made that there can be nothing wrong or about to go wrong.----Just lack of simple maintenance I say.------Price of new gears will shock you.-------Start shopping for a used gearcase now.