Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

[rich1295]

My 78 Searay with Mercruiser 228 SN 5284523 has run fine for the last 7 years. I unfortunately had a ProPulse composite prop on her and during the first trip out this year the fins spun off on when I went to full throttle. (This has happened before and the prop was replaced for free - but I can't recommend a ProPulse prop for a larger boat). The engine of course over reved and I cut the throttle immediately. I knew what the problem was - and replaced the prop with my old trusty aluminum one I keep on board as a spare. On restart the sound was grinding and I had no propulsion although the prop appeared to be spinning. It would only run for a few seconds and then stop. I restarted several times until the whole thing locked up - the started motor couldn't turn the engine. Just a loud click - no movement.
I've got the boat back on the trailer and trying to decide what to do. I am a very experienced DIYer for many things, but I've never worked on my boat engine or outdrive. My guess is that something let loose in the sterndrive and I'm very tempted to take get a manual and take it apart. The prop is free turning - in fact it's more than free turning - it seems very loose. Any ideas!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

1. Pull the spark plugs and make sure you don't have water in the cylinders.
2. Pull the outdrive and see if the engine turns over. With a locked up drive, the engine won't turn.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Do what don says and report back. This will determin if the engine or the drive is the problem.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Thanks, I'm ready to tackle this problem. I removed a spark plug and it seems normal. How do I test to see if there is water in the cylinders?

BTW, the prop was attached without it's insert (cause I did it in the water at the time) so now that I have attached it properly it is frozen - I cannot turn it either way with the shifter in neutral or in gear.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

I removed a spark plug and it seems normal. How do I test to see if there is water in the cylinders?

You would see water or rust on the spark plugs. With them out, did you try to turn the engine? If it turns and there is water in a cylinder it will spray the water out.

If it doesn't turn over, pull the outdrive and try it. The prop is not the problem.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

It won't turn over at all. Just a loud clank. I have a Mercruiser Sterndrive manual and am trying to remove the outdrive, but it will only come out about 1/4 in. after removing the 6 nuts. Seems to be stuck. I can move it in and out but only a certain point. Any ideas?

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

I've gotten aggressive with it and can pick the sterndrive up and move it on and off about 3/8", but still cannot get it off.

 

[jmorgan87]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

6? depends how you count, but you technically undo 7 bolts/nuts.

2 either side, one back. Then after you take the zinc off the front, there is another allen bolt you take off.

can you tell what section is hung up? front/back/middle ?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

6? depends how you count, but you technically undo 7 bolts/nuts.

2 either side, one back. Then after you take the zinc off the front, there is another allen bolt you take off.

can you tell what section is hung up? front/back/middle ?

He want to remove the whole outdrive, not just the lower unit.


Did you put the shifter into forward before trying to remove the drive?

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

I have tried to attached a couple of [/ATTACH]pictures of where I'm at.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Yes, I put the shifter in forward before starting to attempt to remove the outdrive as the manual says.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

put your trim/tilt cylinders back on and use them like a press to push the drive unit off. Put a couple of the nuts back on just till the threads start to keep it from falling off.

If its that tight make sure you check your coupler and gimbal bearing when you get it off.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Also, I didnt notice any signs of metal or shavings from the fluid that I drained from the outdrive.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

I tried the trim cylinder technique - no luck. The outdrive just keeps moving out to the same point that I had moved it myself (about 3/8") and then raises up. Guess I'm going to have to let a professional give it a try and pay the price. Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions.
BTW, upon closer inspection the hub of the Propulse prop is severely cracked which is why it let loose of all its fins and cause this problem in the first place. Stay away from a Propulse prop.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Good news. I thought I'd give it one last try before I dropped the boat off for service on Monday and - wow - the outdrive came right off - with little effort. I honestly don't know why the difference from last week, but she cooperated. Anyway - the outdrive is definitely the problem. It is totally locked up. The engine turns over fine and I ran it a little - with a hose stuck in the water inlet and she's just fine. So what's my next step? Is it more likely a problem with the upper or lower unit. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed?

 

[79Glastron]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Was it full of gear lube at the time? It would be easier to remove the top cover, 4 bolts, and check the upper gears, if you don't find anything, split the housing and check it out. It seems like most of the time the upper gear set goes first.

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Successfully removed the top cover - no problems. then separated upper and lower units. Upper unit appears OK. It is now free turning. The lower unit seems to be the problem. Still locked up. Looking at my manual - dis-assembly of the lower unit looks somewhat complex and may require special tools. Any chance that I can be successful here - without special tools? Does anyone sell lower unit assemblies? A quick web search didn't turn up anyone.

 

[Gettinther]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

QUOTE=rich1295;3388181]Successfully removed the top cover - no problems. then separated upper and lower units. Upper unit appears OK. It is now free turning. The lower unit seems to be the problem. Still locked up. Looking at my manual - dis-assembly of the lower unit looks somewhat complex and may require special tools. Any chance that I can be successful here - without special tools? Does anyone sell lower unit assemblies? A quick web search didn't turn up anyone.[/QUOTE]

Yep right here on iboats http://www.boatmotors.com/motorparts/?*******=825205206&**********=431111764
If that doesn't help I have one from a 228 that tried to crush Canadian rock:facepalm:

 

[natemoore]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

If that doesn't help I have one from a 228 that tried to crush Canadian rock:facepalm:

Leave the Holy Triumvirate alone, man!

 

[rich1295]

Re: Mercruiser 228 over reved and locked up

Thanks, I found the lower units on the site just after I made my post.
I'd still like to know if it's practical to try to repair the lower unit?