speedometer problem

[curdogg08]

I have a 2003 chaparral 180ss its a 3.0L Alpha drive, The speedometer was not working when i bought it so i tried to blow from the gauge back to the drive through the hole in the leading edge of the drive, and a little water came out and some grass. Anyways i was blowing it with nitrogen and it just seemed to still be clogged so i put more pressure on it and i heard a pop and it sounds like it popped the hose off on the inside of the lower unit.I just realized there was a quick disconnect under the lower unit where i could have taken it loose but got inpatient and didnt see it.I was wondering if i run the boat without the hose being attach to the other side of the pressure hole will it mess anything up, and also can i take the lower unit off and re attach it.

 

[Don S]

Re: speedometer problem

Just tilt the drive full up and put the hose back on the quick disconnect fitting, and no, it won't hurt anything to run with the hose off.

 

[curdogg08]

Re: speedometer problem

Don thanks for the quick reply! Did that make sense? I saw the quick disconnect and wish i would have jsut started there. I just wanted to make sure you understood what i was talking about. It popped off on the inside not at the diconnect that would have been to convenient for it to pop off at the disconnect cuz you can see it. so water going into that little hole will not bother anything inthe drive? thats what i was worried about.

 

[Don S]

Re: speedometer problem

You mean inside the boat is where it popped off?

 

[curdogg08]

Re: speedometer problem

Yeah, but not at the gauge, actually right after the disconnect where the tube goes into the lower housing, I think thats where it came loose.
all i know is that i was putting pressure at the gauge and i heard a pop and i thought good maybe its clear! its been sometime since i have messed with this thing, i work so much i dont really get time to take the boat out but i started her up today and wanted to take it out this weekend, but was worried i might mess some thing up. I did stop by a mercruiser shop today on the way home to see how much a tune up would be and i told him about it and he said there wouldnt be a problem, he's actually the one who told me about the disconnect and i looked there when i got home and it was still together. so the only thing i can figure is that it popped off on the inside of the lower housing. have that ever happened before? Im an a/c mechanic that why i had a nitrogen bottle.

 

[curdogg08]

Re: speedometer problem

ok check this out! i went outside and disconnected the hose @ the disconnect and blew through the hose to the gauge, well if there wasn't a hole in the hose then i would not be able to blow through would i ? well i can! so i got my wife to listen the the engine compartment and she could hear a hiss so i got her to blow on the hose and she blew it out of the boat J/K. Im now thinking I blew a hole in the hose somewhere in the engine compartment.
Im thinking of putting leak check (soap) and see if it will appear

 

[Don S]

Re: speedometer problem

Why don't you turn the air pressure down to about 10 psi to test it.
Look at the inner transom plate just above and to port of the wires for the trim limit and gauge sender.

 

[curdogg08]

Re: speedometer problem

I found it, it was popped off on the inside of the engine compartment, there's a little nipple that is fixed to the transom that the hose slides over and you put a tie strap on to hold it in place. thanks for all the help