Lots of smoke and no movement

[89cruisers]

Took my wellcraft out for a final run today. Toward the end I stopped to make sure everything was okay, I noticed there was water running into the bilge from the transom somewhere. While under way again, there was quite a bit of vibration, so knowing something it wrong I tried taking it easy, the vibrating continued to get worse, then finally while at about 2800rpms the engine suddenly redlined with tons of smoke from the engine compartment. turned off the engine, then started back up, would have movement, but very slow and smoke, until eventually there was no move movement. I noticed however that there is no more leakage into the bilge. I have not given a look since I got it home but wanted to post here for an idea what I am going to find. Merc 188 engine matched to a merc 233 drive

 

[Don S]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

Just a WAG, but sounds like leaky ujoint bellows (for a long time) things are locking up from rust and corrosion, and it finally took out the coupler.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

pull the drive and check...

u-joints, driveshaft/engine coupler, gimbal bearing, all bellows, drive oil condition/fuctionality...for a start

 

[Don S]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

PS: Pull the outdrive and start inspecting.
Drain gear lube and inspect for metal, look in bellows for water and rust, if the smoke was in the engine compartment and the engine wasn't overheating, then the coupler is gone. Look at the rubber part of the coupler. It should be smooth.

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

Thanks, thanks. I plan on taking the drive off tomorrow before work to see, and yeah the smoke was from the engine compartment but engine temp was good. If that coupler is bad maybe it now really is time to throw that 351 back in

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

Good Coupler:

Bad Coupler:

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

thanks for those pics, I want able to give it a look today so it will have to wait until monday afternoon

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

I took the drive off yesterday, there was much water inside the u-joint bellows, along with a lot of oil, and what looked like drive oil possibly, I can clearly see that the coupler is torn but the teeth look good on the shaft, and the gimbal bearing is still smooth and does not feel rough when I move it?

 

[Don S]

Re: Lots of smoke and no movement

You have a lot of work to do, pull the engine for a new coupler, new ujoint bellows, gimbal bearing, ujoints, input shaft seal in drive, probably the yoke too. And that is just for starters.