Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

[richjim]

I have a 1995 Mercruiser Alpha I Sterndrive. I took the boat out this weekend. When I hit the throttle the boat boat started to take off. A couple of seconds later to boat stopped going, but the motor was still running. It started to smell like rubber burning. The prop turns up to a certain rpm and then sound like it's sliping after I get to 5mph.<br /><br />Thank God I have Vessel Assist. I was coming from Catalina to Long Beach and still 15 miles out.<br /><br />Please help. I think its something to do with the transmission. Is it something I can fix or would I have to send it in? If I can fix it where do I start? If I have to send it in what about what would it cost?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[tylerin]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

RichJim SMELLS like your coupler, Did the motor over heat. The coupler is where the spline shaft of the outdrive attaches to the flywheel

 

[richjim]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

No overheating problems. I was even able to flush out the engine afterwards. The temp was normal. What should I do?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[tylerin]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

Than it might be as simple as you spun the prop. When you fry your coupler you won't be turning the impeller and the motor will begin to overheat. Remember that maybe when you where flushing the motor(at idle I presume) The coupler might have had enough to keep the impeller turning, what was it doing at higher RPM's

 

[Mikedg]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

Sounds like you spun the prop hub. To check it out give it a sniff and see if it smells like burnt rubber. If so remove it and any prop shop can replace the hub.

 

[richjim]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

When I flushed out the engine I did at higher rpms and kept a close watch on the temp. It stayed normal. I flushed it out for about 7 minutes.

 

[tylerin]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

Than do what Mikedg suggested and look to the prop. By the way, and more imortantly hows your house doing there in Riverside. I live in Simi Valley and its a bad situation all over the southland

 

[richjim]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

This is my first boat and bought it used about 6 months ago. I have no idea where or what a prop hub is. I am pretty good with my hands. I'm thinking of buying a repair manual. Should I take it into a shop? If so, what should it run?<br /><br />Tylerin, The smoke is pretty bad over here. My house is full of ashes. The fire danger for my house has passed. How about where you live?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

richjim...the hub is the rubber middle part of the prob, if it slips then the shaft still turns but the prop doesn't or doesn't turn very much. Just take the prop off and take it to a prop shop and they can check it for you, it will be cheaper than buying a new prop although you shouldn't worry with a name like richjim , it's a requirement for boating

 

[tylerin]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

Rich jim, We're crossing our fingers here w/ the fire, I'm home today because there's only one road out. The hub is part of the prop, its a rubber safety mechanism. In gear try to spin the prop w/out the spline shaft turning. They can be rebuilt for $50 or so. Very cheap in comparison to a coupler-remove drive, remove motor etc. Do you have a spare prop, You should if your taking your boat to Catalina and back.

 

[richjim]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

I just bought a spare prop and had it on the boat. I had no idea I could of replace the prop and would of been on my way. The smell of burnt rubber threw me off. I thought it was coming from the engine. Vessal Assist was pretty quick, it took about 45 min to get to me, but forever to get to the ramp.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

you have my vote for spun hub on the prop.It is the best 1st thing to check.Always check the cheap and easy fix first!!!If you have a spare prop,put it on and you will have your answer.Charlie

 

[tylerin]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

RichJim agree w/ crazy charlie, Check prop first than coupler. Those are the 2 that will fit your problem. You just have to r&r prop if you already have one. Coupler is an ordeal. I hope its your prop. Good luck

 

[richjim]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

Ok, If it is a spun coupler, what should that cost me to get it repaired? Could I do it myself or should I do it myself. I did forget to tell you about the smell and a little bit of smoke coming from the engine compartment. Which makes me think it is a spun coupler<br /><br />Thanks

 

[tylerin]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

Well you have to pull the outdrive than pull the motor some sheetmetal and there's the coupler replace coupler install motor,align motor, reinstall outdrive. If there's any one of these things you don't feel comfortable with than I recommend you have it done.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

There always seems to be a little more to every story.The smoke from the engine compartment was a big detail to leave out.Charlie

 

[BRIAN03]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

Engine coupler

 

[DJ]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

I agree with Brian03. You would not likely smell a spun prop hub-it's under water. The coupler gets my vote.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Not sure whats wrong! Please help.

No Doubt, The Coupler......<br />Pull the outdrive,+ Engine... Replace Coupler... Reinstall Engine, then the Outdrive....