Stern drive froze?

[Dutchfin]

Hi all, newbie here. Got a mercruiser 120 serial number 6209305, I thought might have been seized, but the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking its the lower unit. When I try to turn it over, the engine rocks up on the engine mounts (need new mounts for sure), but the spindle on the sterndrive never moves. Is this even a possibillity? BTW, it was in nuetral and the prop spun freely.

 

[Don S]

Re: Stern drive froze?

Remove the outdrive and see if the engine will turn, sure it's possible and happens quite often.

 

[Dutchfin]

Re: Stern drive froze?

Thanks for the quick reply Don, Looks like I know what I'll be doing this weekend! Seeing as you say it happens quite often, I'm guessing it's repairable? Hate to think I'd have to buy a whole new lower unit. Engines I'm familiar with, but I'm clueless when it comes to the lower unit.

 

[Coors]

Re: Stern drive froze?

Does the engine move on the mounts, or are the mounts pulling out of rotten wood?

 

[buggiedad_67]

Re: Stern drive froze?

do like don says and remove outdrive, your gimble bearing could be froze up

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Stern drive froze?

A gimbal bearing would not prevent the engine from turning over. I ran into the same problem last month. The prop would turn fine and lock into gear like it was suppose to, but the engine seemed locked. I removed the drive and found the engine turned over just fine. The drive was just locked solid. I ended up with an SEI drive.​

 

[buggiedad_67]

Re: Stern drive froze?

and explain just why a frozen bearing that has a driveshaft that is run through it that is connected to the crankshft will not lock up a engine?

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Stern drive froze?

Just last sunday I had the upper gears in my lower unit bind and bogged the engine down from cruising RPM. (around 2500rpm at the time). Once it cooled it was fine. The boat is out of the water and I'm in the process of repairing it at this time. I agree, if the gimbal bearing seized, it could stop the engine. Starters aren't that strong, and a tapered fit is.


Chris

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Stern drive froze?

Gimbal bearings can lock the drive system up. Not common but I have seen it several times.

 

[Coors]

Re: Stern drive froze?

Are his mounts loose, and binding everything up?
He said they move.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Stern drive froze?

I stand corrected. That bearing would really have to be AFU for it to seize an engine.​

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Stern drive froze?

the shaft always turns even when starting.with the gimbal bearing being frozen the motor can't start.what will eventually happen is the coupler will strip out.than your looking at pulling the motor and putting in a new coupler.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Stern drive froze?

i would pull the outdrive pull the gimbal bearing and see what it looks like and than start the motor. for a second or 2 cant hurt it no more than 10 seconds with no water going to the motor its not a good thing.if it starts than youll know its the outdrive or bearing whatever.

 

[Don S]

Re: Stern drive froze?

i would pull the outdrive pull the gimbal bearing and see what it looks like and than start the motor. for a second or 2 cant hurt it no more than 10 seconds with no water going to the motor its not a good thing.if it starts than youll know its the outdrive or bearing whatever.

Like I said in the very first reply to this thread, pull the drive and see.
No need to pull the gimbal bearing, with the drive off the gimbal bearing does nothing.