new to me 65ESL-72S

[txbandit44]

OK bought a boat from my boss for 50 bucks. Its a 16ft 72 doggett with a
65ESL-72S. I have justa few questions.

First some motor history. It hasnt been fired up in about 11 yrs. He said that the last time he has the boat in the water and running the lower unit locked up and threw him from the boat. He said that he could still start and run the motor but it would abroptly stop if shifted to forward and reverse.

I tried to just turn the motor by hand with the plugs out and it would not move but about an inch in either direction. Today i tried and i could turn it failry easy and I could make a full revolution. I will be following the info in the FAQ about reviing and old motor. I am pretty sure the lower unit is toast. I can only turn the prop about3/4 turn clock wise or counter clockwise. I also noticed that the prop was turning as i turned the motor, but did not seem to have the same rotation speed. I assume there has to be some reduction in the lower unit gearing.

Questions are

Where can I get a Factory service manual for this? Will it cover the lower unit as well?

HOw or where would I go to find out what lower units will fit my application?
I mean i know I have a 72 hydroelectric shift for a 65hp but what else used the same unit?

How hard is it to rebuild a lower unit your self? I am great with automotive and have a very mechanical mind. But this will be my first rodeo on an outboard.

Before I get crazy with trying to fix this thing up. I want to make sure the motor will run. since the lower unit is mostlikly toast and seems to be locked in a gear with the motor. Can I stil start this thing? IF I have trouble starting the motor with the lower unit attached. Can I start it without the lower unit? Im not looking to run the motor just hear it fire up maybe run for a few seconds. Just enough to give me hope and the courage to open my check book for parts.

Also does anyo one know what the "S" at the end of the model # means?



Thanks for reading I hope this isnt a lost cause. well not a total loss I did get a $1100 80# minn kota with the boat so I guess im $1050 ahead at this point

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: new to me 65ESL-72S

welcome to iboats. you can drop the lower unit, and connect a water supply to the water tube, just don't rev the motor. do a compression test before and after starting it.

Hydro Electric Shift)
(J. Reeves)

The shifting setup of the lower unit is what's called a "Hydro Electric Shift", which is quite complex consisting of voltage being applied to solenoids in the lower unit which in turn change oil passages via a oil pump that supplies various pressure on a spring loaded shifter dog. The wires leading to the lower unit (at the powerhead) are "Green" and "Blue". The engine must be running or cranking over in order to shift out of forward gear.

You CAN NOT use HI VIS lube in that lower unit. You MUST USE what OMC calls "Premium Blend" lube, commonly called "Type C". (A thinner lube)

In neutral, you need 12v to the "Green" wire.
In reverse, you need 12v to both wires, the "Green" one and the "Blue" one.
In forward, there should be no voltage to either wire. (The spring loaded shifter dog forces the unit into forward gear)

To check the lower unit for proper shifting to make sure you have no trouble there, remove the spark plugs to avoid problems and to allow a higher cranking speed.

This next step eliminates the actual shift switch in case problems may exist there.... Disconnect the blue & green wires at the knife connectors (the rubber insulated boots) leading to the lower unit at the powerhead, then using jumpers, take voltage direct from the starter solenoid to apply voltage to the "Green" wire for neutral, then both wires 'Green" & "Blue" for reverse (Remember the engine must be cranking over in order to shift).
With no voltage applied, the unit should be in forward. No need for a ground jumper... the lower unit's already grounded. You may crank the engine with the key switch or by energizing the starter solenoid with a jumper wire.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: new to me 65ESL-72S

Your gearbox may or may not be toast. The business of it "locking up" suggests broken parts or jumping into reverse while underway - which would have resulted in broken parts if they weren't already in that condition.

The business of not being able to turn the prop with the motor off is not the problem. That, in fact, is supposed to be the case. The hydro-electric gearboxes default to forward when there is no electrical signal present. When shifted to neutral with electrical power available, one of the solenoids in it pulls the gearbox out of forward gear. Selecting reverse then energizes the second solenoid.

What does concern me, however, is that you can sometimes turn the prop a full revolution with no power. You should not be able to do that and the fact that you can, suggests that something is broken. I think its time to tear the gearbox down to see what is going on with it.

 

[txbandit44]

Re: new to me 65ESL-72S

Ok did everything sugested but the compression test. My tester was busted. I had to pull the lower unit to fire up the motor. the motor would make about 1 1/2 revs befor it would not crank. I also discovered the starter solinoid is bad. it looks like a ford solinoid can I get this at the auto parts store or do I have to order this?

But the great news is it fired up. Ran only at WOT but it ran, so i guess I will be putting alittle more effort into this thing. I have started tearing out the rotting deck from the boat its attached to. Hope I can get this thing up and on the water in a month or so. I WANT TO GO FISHING!!!!!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: new to me 65ESL-72S

do not use an automotive solenoid. use this http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...gd_poid=111829&gd_row=33&**********=135584289

 

[robtown]

Re: new to me 65ESL-72S

I bought a used lower unit for my 50ESL-72L (72 50 hp) for 200.00 on ebay two years ago. Still going strong after two summers.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: new to me 65ESL-72S

If I am understanding your post correctly, you ran the motor with the gearbox off of it at WOT ..... yikes! That is a very bad idea and will probably result in a blown powerhead if you keep doing it!

I still recommend pulling the gearbox apart to see what is going on with it. If you don't feel up to the task, have someone else do it so you know what sort of shape it is in. If the gearbox is bad, you can probably find a replacement. When you look, keep in mind that there are a number of OMC motors (different years & hp ratings) that used the same gearbox. That fact will give you a bit of flexibility in your search for a used unit.

 

[txbandit44]

Re: new to me 65ESL-72S

I had no throtle control. The butter flys were closed but it reved really high and I killed it right away. I know better than to let it keep going. I had to pull the loewr unit since it was locking up after 2 or 3 revs of the crank. I just needed to hear it run before I put any more effort into the boat.