Mercruiser left me in the middle of the lake....

[SamuelP63]

Good afternoon folks,

Now, i should start off with saying this... I'm not sure that it was the motors fault hahaha...

I was looking at purchasing a boat from my mother, a 18' maxum with a 3.0 merc. I dropped it off in a lake, jumped on and took off. Ran great. After boating for about fifteen minutes and making it to the middle and cruising at 80% throttle, it died on me. I immediately brought the boat back to neutral and attempted to restart. fired right up. However, if i attempted to put it into gear, neutral or reverse, the boat would stall. It felt as if something along the drive line seized up.

Initially i thought it was a spun prop or a bad coupler. However, after getting pulled out of the lake and loaded back on to the trailer, i started observing the prop. At that point i noticed a hole, about 3" in diameter, on the front side of the lower unit. It seemed as if someone loaded the boat with the trim down and smashed it against the ramp.

Could this be my issue? and if so, how much damage could be done?

Now please keep in mind, i am no mechanic, but am comfortable enough with my abilities to pull the lower unit.

I appreciate your help.

Thank you,
Sam

 

[alldodge]

Good afternoon folks,

Now, i should start off with saying this... I'm not sure that it was the motors fault hahaha...

I was looking at purchasing a boat from my mother, a 18' maxum with a 3.0 merc. I dropped it off in a lake, jumped on and took off. Ran great. After boating for about fifteen minutes and making it to the middle and cruising at 80% throttle, it died on me. I immediately brought the boat back to neutral and attempted to restart. fired right up. However, if i attempted to put it into gear, neutral or reverse, the boat would stall. It felt as if something along the drive line seized up.

Initially i thought it was a spun prop or a bad coupler. However, after getting pulled out of the lake and loaded back on to the trailer, i started observing the prop. At that point i noticed a hole, about 3" in diameter, on the front side of the lower unit. It seemed as if someone loaded the boat with the trim down and smashed it against the ramp.

Could this be my issue? and if so, how much damage could be done?

Now please keep in mind, i am no mechanic, but am comfortable enough with my abilities to pull the lower unit.

I appreciate your help.

Thank you,
Sam

:welcome: to iboats Sam

A 3 inch or even a 1/4 inch hole in the drive will destroy it. You need another drive, so I would suggest going to SEI and buying a new one which comes with a 3 year warranty. It will cost about $1500 for an alpha 1 gen 2 drive

http://www.sterndrive.cc/Mercruiser-...-Complete.html

Edit: this also needs to be in the I/O section

 

[SamuelP63]

:welcome: to iboats Sam

A 3 inch or even a 1/4 inch hole in the drive will destroy it. You need another drive, so I would suggest going to SEI and buying a new one which comes with a 3 year warranty. It will cost about $1500 for an alpha 1 gen 2 drive

http://www.sterndrive.cc/Mercruiser-...-Complete.html

Edit: this also needs to be in the I/O section

Thank you very much.

Is it possible to just replace the lower unit?

It seems they are $4-800 or so.

 

[alldodge]

Thank you very much.

Is it possible to just replace the lower unit?

It seems they are $4-800 or so.

Shifting is done on the upper unit, the lower is just used to rotate the prop. Once water gets in and the drive locks up, it needs a complete overhaul/replacement. The replacement is the cheaper option, unless you can do it your self

 

[Fun Times]

Shifting is done on the upper unit, the lower is just used to rotate the prop.

Correction! Technically the lower unit gear housing on the Alpha drives is where the shifting of the gears takes place.

Have a photo of the damage? Can you see the insides of the gear housing through the hole?

 

[alldodge]

Correction! Technically the lower unit gear housing on the Alpha drives is where the shifting of the gears takes place.

Have a photo of the damage? Can you see the insides of the gear housing through the hole?

Don't you just love that

 

[Watermann]

No matter what with a hole smashed in the gear case the lube would have exited and water taken it's place most likely ruining or severely damaging the upper as well. A new replacement drive is the way to go.

 

[Bondo]

At that point i noticed a hole, about 3" in diameter, on the front side of the lower unit. It seemed as if someone loaded the boat with the trim down and smashed it against the ramp.

Could this be my issue? and if so, how much damage could be done?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... That would be a problem,.... The Fix oughta be 'bout $1500. in parts,....

 

[henleyhale]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... That would be a problem,.... The Fix oughta be 'bout $1500. in parts,....

This is the no grease at all situation bondo talks about.