OMC Cobra/ dead in the water- will not move on its own accord

[rhaineydaze]

recently i bought a 90 renken with a Cobra OMC I/O. It was stalling consistently after 10 seconds or so, so i sent it to the shop. There it had a carb rebuild, and a tune up basically. I dropped it in the water this afternoon when i got it back, expecting to take my kids out.
we got it off the trailer. I started it and it didnt stall. Instead, when I put it in reverse, it didn't really move so much as the current took the boat. When I applied a little more power, the boat shook, and smoked . I ended up calling a towboat for my small boat and having to literally crank it back on the trailer.
the stench of burnt rubber is still heavy on me.
The boat simply refused to move. The rubber was burning and smoke filled the air near the engine compartment.
I am now about 3k into this boat, and of course the guy wont take it back, even though i have owned it for less than two weeks.
Can anyone please send me in the right direction? Much appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC Cobra/ dead in the water- will not move on its own accord

the stench of burnt rubber is still heavy on me.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,....

Unfortunately, I don't have any good news for ya....
My 1st Guess is the Coupler is Gone...
It's a rubber donut affair bolted to the aft of the motor's crankshaft, 'n the input shaft of the outdrive, Slips into it...
They usually fail from rotten stringers, 'n transoms, causing 'em to go Out of alignment...
That's why Checkin' the alignment is so important to do annually on Our old barges....

At this point, go inspect the aft area of the motor,...
If ya find alota burnt up rubber, 'n dust,...
Pull the drive, then the motor to replace the Coupler...

Probably wanta poke around with an icepick or something, 'n see how bad the Rot is in her...

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: OMC Cobra/ dead in the water- will not move on its own accord

Bust Out Another Thousand :facepalm:

You are 3k into the boat including purchase? Or you got 3k worth of work into it?

I agree with Bond-o on this one.. It's a major bummer too..
Of course the previous owner won't take it back.. He likely knew that coupler was shot.. Have you ever heard the 2 best days of boat ownership is the day you buy and the day you sale? True for most people.. I always miss my old tubs, but thats just me.. I always sale at full disclosure and in running condition..

It can be fixed.. All it takes is time and money

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC Cobra/ dead in the water- will not move on its own accord

I am now about 3k into this boat, and of course the guy wont take it back, even though i have owned it for less than two weeks.

Normally I am not into "You Should'a" answers.......

However this answer is for the other trusting souls out there that are thinking about buying old junk boats and into believing the "nice guy" selling it.

#1. DON'T BELIEVE WHAT PEOPLE TELL YOU ABOUT THE BOAT!

#2 WATER TEST THE BOAT!

#3. Avoid boats with OMC anywhere in the ad.

#4. DON'T believe what the seller tells you! (oh.....I already said that!)


In all likely hood, you have a spun coupler. Like Bondo said.......

PULL THE DRIVE.

PULL THE ENGINE.

CHECK FOR ROT.

In the above order..


The worst scenario is, you have a rotten transom, "engine-room" stringers and floor.

The above condition will render your boat worthless. I.E. you will be money ahead parting the boat out and selling the good(you hope) engine, transom, & drive.

Unless you want to spend a few thousand dollars replacing the transom, stringers & floor. the left over hull may need to be cut up with a chain saw. You'll then be paying the dump to take it.


(the above is the worst condition....unless there's water in the drive oil and the block is cracked . THEN it's JUST not your day!)



Sorry about that......



Rick