OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

[LAMudbug]

1992 OMC Cobra 4.3 Litre Outdrive wont stay in gear under load.
Going to drain gear oil tomorrow. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

Howdy.


Your drive is a "Dog-clutch" drive. As such, it has clutch "dogs" that are undercut in such a way so that they "hold" it in gear under load.

If they're not doing that, it's very possible that they've been beat up so bad that they'll need to be replaced. (read: drive rebuilt )

Regards,



Rick

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

Yup, they only have to round the leading edge slightly to start popping out of gear. It's caused by slow gear engagement (easing the boat into gear), improperly adjusted shift cable, and just plain old wear from use.

 

[LAMudbug]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

Ok Drained oil dirty and thick but no chunks of metal so thats a good sign. Also I misunderstood the problem Brother in Laws boat when he explained it I thought it was dropping out of gear completely this was incorrect it is going into gear the engine is coming up to speed but the prop is not. Its not even getting up on a plain with this im lost. Can this also be a cable adjustment or do I just need a trip to the shop.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

Your description is a little dicey but it sounds like a spun prop to me.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

Well,


that's a little different.


If could be a spun prop or a spun coupler.

On the trailer AND ENGINE OFF, turn the prop backwards while you have someone else place the control in FWD gear.

You may be able to turn the prop if the rubber hub has "spun".
You should not be able to turn it at all. If you can turn it you may have a spun coupler or prop hub. (Turning it the correct direction (in FWD) should produce a clicking sound.

The easiest way to check it is to put the spare prop on(if there isn't a spare prop, there should be!!).

If it still does it (I.E. high RPM and doesn't go anywhere) it's probably the coupler.

You must remove the engine to replace it.


Regards,


Rick

 

[frank246]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

It is not comming up on plane, so the boat moves, than it is not the coupler.
Change the prop or the hub that is inside and see again.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

Has nada to do with the gears, you have either a spun prop or a spun engine coupler.

Use a marker and draw a line across the hub of the prop to the outer hub. Take a short test drive. Do your marks still line up? If not you have a spun prop, if they are lined up its most likely the engine coupler.

Good advice.
Hey Bubba, still waiting on that check!!

 

[fyrfightr]

Re: OMC Outdrive wont stay in gear any suggestions

It is not comming up on plane, so the boat moves, than it is not the coupler.
Change the prop or the hub that is inside and see again.

I disagree. My bad coupler acted just like a spun prop. Idled around just fine, then engine over rev and loss of thrust then trying to come up on plane....