Lost Propulsion

[911S]

Hi All, While cruising back into port last week I suddenly lost propulsion. Motor running fine just, lost all propulsion. Made it back on kicker motor. Checked this forum for possible causes. I check for a spun hub but couldn't be that lucky. Shifts in and out of both F & R and prop locks like it should. (motor off) so determined it must be the engine coupler. So I ordered all the part to replace. I just pulled the 2 yr. old SE drive off and noticed that I can't turn the drive yoke and make the prop spin or visa-versa. Can't get it to budge in either forward or reverse. Is this normal? I don't think so, so now I'm thinking it's the outdrive. Any thoughts? Boat is a 2359 Trophy with 5.7, SEI outdrive from previous owner so no warranty. Thanks!

 

[thumpar]

You can take the cap of the top of the drive to check the upper gears. You might also spit the drive to see if the vertical shaft is still intact. Did it start to overheat at all?

 

[NHGuy]

As you face astern turn the drive input shaft clockwise. To be sure it's in forward you can hold the shift foot in a clockwise direction til the gears engage.
Then see if the propshaft turns. To get reverse turn the shift link counter clockwise and turn the input clockwise. The reason I am bringing this up is that your drive gears will seek neutral til the gears are engaged.

 

[Rick Stephens]

You are correct. You should be able to turn the input shaft in any gear or neutral with the leg off.

Good luck - at least the warranty is good!

Rick

 

[911S]

Ok guys thank for the quick reply's. Tried NHGuy's suggestions and still couldn't turn the prop. I then splt the case and spilled a bunch of burnt smelling oil, leaking out from were the drive shaft enters the top half. I've never seen this before but then I guess I've only split outboards before. Now the top yoke is free to spin but the prop and shaft still won't turn in either gear. Prop will spin in natural but the shaft won't.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Curious.... did you drain the drive oil before you split the drive (Sounds like you didnt if you got oil out of the vertical shaft opening when you split the drive). Is this an older alpha-1 style SEI drive, or is it a post-1990 Gen II SEI drive? I am (again) assuming Gen II, because a pre-Gen II would not drain oil from the shaft opening unless two seals went bad. I will also assume the "burnt smelling" oil is two years old (how many operating hours?). BTW, used outdrive oil smells really, really bad!!! (normally)
In any event.... to the current problem. Are you saying you cant turn the vertical shaft? or does it free-spin and the prop doesnt? Are you sure your shift shaft is fully turned clockwise to engage the prop in FWD? If it is, (normally), you should be able to turn the vertical shaft CW and the prop will turn (have to hold the shift shaft CW or it will pop out of gear). What are the exact symptoms? If the vert shaft absolutely will not turn, it is time to dig deeper into the water pump and the bottom of the drive.

 

[thumpar]

The drive lube always smells bad IMO. From what you describe the lower is locked up. Have you opened the drain plug to see what you get?

 

[911S]

I can't turn the shaft at all so it appears to be locked up. Drained the oil and had a good amont of metal shavings on the drain plug but not alot in the oil. Oil had a little milkyness to it but not real bad. Looks like it's time for a new lower unit! Can anyone tell me if there is a way to determine the gear ratio of the drive? Another thing I noticed in researching the drive is the alpha 1 g2 are only rated up to 260 hp. I put a crate engine in last year with 315hp is this why I burnt it up?

 

[Bondo]

I can't turn the shaft at all so it appears to be locked up. Drained the oil and had a good amont of metal shavings on the drain plug but not alot in the oil. Oil had a little milkyness to it but not real bad. Looks like it's time for a new lower unit! Can anyone tell me if there is a way to determine the gear ratio of the drive? Another thing I noticed in researching the drive is the alpha 1 g2 are only rated up to 260 hp. I put a crate engine in last year with 315hp is this why I burnt it up?

Ayuh,.... All of the Alpha series can live with 300 hp,... Operator discretion should be used, at higher hp's, 'n torque,......

The gear ratio is determined by the upper unit,... Yer 350 motor, oughta be turnin' a 1.5:1 gear set,....

iboats offers the sei drives here,.....

 

[Rick Stephens]

iBoats also gives forum members a 5% discount if you call. $75 on a Gen 2 complete SEI outdrive.

I know this cause mine will arrive tuesday.

Rick

 

[911S]

Thanks, the PO put the drive on just before I bought it. Is their a way to tell what gear set I have in the upper? Want to make sure I have the right one. Also since I didn't drain the oil out before splitting the case, it sounds like the oil leaking out of the top half drive hole is normal for this gen 2 drive? I assume that when the lower went south the drive shaft was still able to turn until it cooled down and locked up or there would be damage back through the upper and engine coupler. Should I be worried about that? When it went there was no bad noises at all. Thanks again for all the input!

 

[thumpar]

With 315hp you should be running 1.5 ratio unless you are at high altitude.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Replacing just half of an outdrive after finding metal flakes is risky, since the oil is shared top to bottom. If it were me, I'd pull the top cap off the upper half and at least check the condition of the upper gears and flush them real good.
Something just doesnt sound right from your original post. You say you lost propulsion, and eventually say now that the lower appears to be locked up.... because you cant turn the vertical shaft. That would mean you lost cooling because the impeller stopped turning. Yet, you say the engine didnt stop, you just lost propulsion. I'm still thinking something is amiss in the upper, too. The engine would not continue to run/turn if the vertical shaft was locked, without breaking something (gear, shaft, etc).
What is the condition of your water pump and impeller? Pull the pump, housing, and lower base and peek inside at your lower end gears.
Your drive ratio should be clearly stamped on the port side of the upper housing (for a drive less than two years old, it should be still very visible).
Curious..... what was your WOT speed with that 315 horse crate motor?

 

[thumpar]

Have you looked through the gimbal bearing to see if anything is wrong with the coupler?

 

[911S]

KTB...that's my concern too that something else may have been damaged. Could the lower half seized up after cooling down? I did put a spare yoke into the gimble bearing and coupler and all seemed ok there. The drive has antifouling paint on it would that cover up the stamp? I'll open up the top and check out the gears and the waterpump tomorrow.