outdrive issue

[scootdogg]

last friday i had my gimbal bearing replaced in my 4.3 mercruiser outdrive. at the same time an outdrive service was performed. over the weekend with less than 1? hours of actual "run time" the outdrive quit. we were cruising at about 27 mph and it felt like the prop came off. the motor reved high and we stopped moving. i went to check and see if the prop was damaged or off and saw oil in the water. can anyone help me with what this might be? when i try to slid it in gear nothing happens. no sound or anything. also the motor heats quickly!

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive issue

Spun coupler. Look for metal filings around the back of the engine.

 

[scootdogg]

Re: outdrive issue

is this an expensive fix? is it related to the gimbal bearing and outdrive service that was just performed? thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive issue

Depends on what you mean by expensive. The coupler (Depending on what year your engine is) is around $200. The shaft going into coupler is also worn and should be replaced. which requiers new ujoints too.
You also need to pull the engine to replace it. When a coupler goes for any reason, it's also a good time to replace the rear mounts in the flywheel housing.
The cause of the splines wearing out of the coupler is lack of lubrication, and did NOT happen in the last hour and a half. It's been dry for a long time and finally wore the splines out.
Your mechanic should have seen they were about worn out, but if he didn't look while doing the gimbal bearing, then he wouldn't know. I always look at them every time the drive is off, along with checking the alignment.
Have you been pulling the drive and lubing the shaft yearly? Book is every 100 hrs or yearly. If you do a lot of trolling, it should be every 50 hrs.

 

[scootdogg]

Re: outdrive issue

he winterizes the boat every year and supposively lubes everything necessary. he is an authorized merc mechanic. the boat is a 1992. i probably dont put over 50 hours in a whole year so i think i should be good. what do you think? i watched him drain the lower unit last winter and re lube....

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive issue

I have no idea what he does for winterization. Some call draining the block winterization. Here is what I call a proper winterization.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=178695

Then in the summer you get this:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=192804

Draining the lower unit, does not lube the coupler spines or check the alignment.

 

[scootdogg]

Re: outdrive issue

- Run engine to operating temp.

2- Stabilize complete Fuel System

3- Induce a internal engine protection/lubrication

4- Drain water from Block, Manifolds, Coolers, and Hoses

5- Fill Block with Propylene Glycol (Non Toxic Antifreeze) ?Customer Request

6- Clean Flame Arrestor

7- Grease all wear points on Engine, Cables/Steering

8- CHANGE oil and Filter

9- CHANGE Sterndrive Gear Oil

10- Grease Gimbal Bearing and Gimbal Ring

11- Grease Prop Shaft

12- Spray Protective coating on Engine and Sterndrive

13- Place a protective bag over prop (keeps water and critters out)

14- Remove battery cables ?Customer request

15- Drain and fill onboard holding tanks with Propylene Glycol (Non Toxic Antifreeze)

16- Winterize Ballast system (Ski Boats)

17- Check off list

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive issue

That list never mentions pulling the drive, checking engine alignment or lubing the input shaft and coupler.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: outdrive issue

I don't get where the oil in the water would come from with a spun coupler....
I tend to think it's a bit worse news....