Is running at low RPMs for a long time "bad" for the engine

[achris]

Re: Is running at low RPMs for a long time "bad" for the engine

I was able to find this 2007 coupler lubricating chart. My 2002 Alpha is supposed to have the "" sealed "" ??? coupler.
How the heck would ANY SEALED part ever need to be greased ????????

'Sealed' means the yoke now has an 'O' ring just behind the splines, so any grease in the spline area will not come out and be sprayed around the back of the engine, like the older models did.

Mercruiser is very non commital about determining idle hours. Why not make all drives the same greasing period / time, to elimanate new mechanics / owners, forgetting which drive is which. I blame the, Chief, for such confusing maintainance scheduales.

Any workshop worth its salt should have a maintenance schedule chart up on the wall. The mechanics should be consulting that for each service they do. Also that is what service manuals are for. eg - When ever I do the shimming on a drive I have the book out and open at the relevant page. I have done it dozens of times, and know the procedure and spec off the top of my head, but with so much else going on, it's just another tool to make sure the job's done right.

Mr Cyclops, why do you have such an aversion to greasing a coupler? It's so easy to do when the leg is off, it takes no extra time and is just a matter of putting a lick of grease on the yoke before you put the leg back on the boat. I use a paint brush so the grease gets pushed all the way to the bottom of the splines. Another question, who is 'Chief' who you are blaming for 'confusing maintenance schedules'? There is nothing confusing about them either.

Chris........

 

[achris]

Re: Is running at low RPMs for a long time "bad" for the engine

Depending on how new or old your boat is. If you can look at the area where the drive coupler is , there might be a grease fitting . It would appear that it is screwed right in to the bell housing or , flywheel cover if you will . On older models you will have to take off the drive unit and grease them . While you have the drive unit off , you can check the engine alignment too

The grease nipple is on the couple itself, not the bell housing/flywheel cover. You may need to 'bump' the engine over with a remote starter to get the grease nipple in the right spot to grease it, but engine that have the grease-able coupler have the starter solenoid near the top of the engine anyway, so that's easy to hook up. And you'll need it hooked up anyway to check compressions.

Chris........

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is running at low RPMs for a long time "bad" for the engine

Ayuh,... That 1s 'bout 5'clock,...

I'm Lucky,... My motor usually stops with it at 'bout 2'clock.... Always has.....

 

[dollarten]

Re: Is running at low RPMs for a long time "bad" for the engine

I stand corrected I would be kind of hard to pass grease through the flywheel housing and the coupler both ( insert blushing icon here)

The grease nipple is on the couple itself, not the bell housing/flywheel cover. You may need to 'bump' the engine over with a remote starter to get the grease nipple in the right spot to grease it, but engine that have the grease-able coupler have the starter solenoid near the top of the engine anyway, so that's easy to hook up. And you'll need it hooked up anyway to check compressions.

Chris........