OMC 2.3 Locked Up

[jaschil69]

Yesterday when cruising acroos the lake at about 25 mph I had a loud clunk and the engine locked up. I have not taken it apart yet but does anyone know if the engine is a standard Ford 2.3 or is there anything special about the block and head that is marine specific? If it is the same I am assuming I can just get a 2.3 short block and have the head done. The oil looks milky so I am assuming there is water in the oil. Head gasket maybe blew. Thank you for any info

 

[tommays]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

jas<br />until you pull the sparkplugs and are sure whats really going on your guessing<br /><br /> it could be a MOTOR or DRIVE problem many and outdrive has locked up and clunked<br /><br />if it turns out to be the motor i aam sure someone can tell you what will swap<br /><br />good luck<br />tommays

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

Something tells me that once you get past the marine stuff, a 2.3 is a 2.3 is a 2.3. The cams might be different? I dunno. But yeah, check the gearlube first. If the drive roached, it/ll show-up there. The top pops right off with 4 bolts if you want a peek at the innards.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

Some of the guys on here extremely strong as far as knowledge, experience, and willingness to share both (unfortunately I know nothing). I'm sure you'll find them really helpful but you might want to give em some more info. What year, type, and size is your boat? All freshwater use or has it seen saltwater as well? Manifolds ever been changed?<br /><br />Good luck, you've come to the right place for repair advice.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

Did you have any work done on the motor or the drive prior to the "lock-up", such as new l/u oil, engine oil and filter, etc.?

 

[jaschil69]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

The boat is a 1989 VIP Vision. I just recently changed the lower unit lube. I have only had the boat for about a month and have had it out successfully 3 times. The engine ran fine until this happened. The prop still spins if this means anything. No damage to it, so it doesn't seem that I hit anything with the lower unit. I will pull the top off of the outdrive today and see how it looks. I knew I should have ordered that manual!!

 

[KaGee]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

Maybe a hydrolock? If the oil is milky... just a thought.

 

[jaschil69]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

What does a hydrolock do?

 

[tommays]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

jas<br /><br />go simple like i said pull the spark plugs and look for water and while there out see if the motor will spin by hand.<br /><br />why dive into the drive with out checking the easy thing first<br /><br />tommays

 

[jaschil69]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

I will definitely pull them today. Would rather this not be a long ordeal. Thanks for all the replies

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

LakeLivin,<br />

I just recently changed the lower unit lube

uh oh...

 

[jaschil69]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

Ok. I pulled a couple of the plugs and they are dry and look correct. No lean or lich mixture. I also puled the inspection cover on the top of the outdrive and the gears looked great. I'm guessing there is a pump that provides lube up to the gears? I can only turn the engine by hand maybe a 1/4 inch. Transmission issue?

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

Pull the drive. If the ujoints are broken, that could cause the problem. Once the drive is off, try turning the engine by hand, if it doesn't turn then, pull the starter, if it doesn't turn then, it's internal engine problems.<br />There is also no "Pump" for the gear lube.

 

[vipzach]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

how did you fill your outdrive (lower unit)?

 

[jaschil69]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

I will try to get the drive pulled this evening. I first drained the lube from the bottom drain screw. I removed the upper screw from the lower unit. I then filled from the bottom screw via the pump that came with the lube. I filled until it started to seep from the top screw on the lower unit.

 

[jaschil69]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

How are the gears under the inspection cover lubricated?

 

[tommays]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

jas <br />the gears in the upper should be flooded with oil if the drive is filled correctly<br /><br />tommays

 

[jaschil69]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

They aren't dry really. They are just not very oily. Doesn't look like they are very well lubricated. Is there a seperate reservoir for this or does it use the lube from the lower unit?

 

[Don S]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

If you filled the drive correctly, and the level is on the mark on the dipstick, then the level is fine. The Cobra's have been running like that for years. No need to reinvent the wheel.<br />When the level is at the proper level, and the engine is turning over, the gear lube climbs the gears and lubes them. ALL drives without reservoirs work like that, and it's been that way since the 60's.<br /><br />Now, what about your engine problem..........

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: OMC 2.3 Locked Up

I then filled from the bottom screw via the pump that came with the lube. I filled until it started to seep from the top screw on the lower unit.

I donno Don, there might be an issue here...