Mercury 115 won’t shift and prop is locked

[Jgeige]

hello everyone. I recently had a issue with a spun prop. Took it to the mechanics and they said the gears (dog gears) were bad. So they supposedly fixed it. I took it for a test run it was making a funny popping noise will being choked. Ran fine first day. Second trip out I’m choking it to get it read to reverse off the trailer and I engage reverse and it stalls out. I tried to choke it up again and it got TIGHT. The shifter wouldn’t go forward or reverse without SERIOUS force while engaged. The prop itself feels like it’s locked and won’t spin by hand. The mechanic won’t return my calls so if anyone could help me out here, it’s appreciated. Thanks!

 

[racerone]

Check the gear oil .

 

[Texasmark]

Check the gear oil .

Forgetting to install it after the repair could happen, especially in a busy shop. Ouch!

 

[Jgeige]

The gear oil is leaking out of the “foot” or
”boot”. It’s a slow leak. Why would it be leaking out?

 

[Texasmark]

You didn't say what year on your engine...makes a difference on type of seal on parts (probably) removed to do the repair. Assuming that seal was ok, the drain plug gasket could be leaking, or not installed. Also vent screw(s) up above the flat plate that goes back over the prop (anti-ventillation plate) may be missing seals.

If it were mine, I'd get a suitable, clean container and drain the foot. Screw is under the gear box bulge on the "foot" plus you have the vent plug(s) I mentioned to remove for the oil to drain properly. 3 questions:

How much oil drained out? Were there any metal particles in the oil, and if it had a magnet attached to the drain screw, how much metal was on it. Was there a gasket (usually aqua blue) on each of the screws you removed to drain the foot?

 

[Jgeige]

As far as I know it’s a 115 hp mercury oil injected. Mechanic said it was known as the “ tower of power” straight 6 I believe. It was just leaking out around where the prop is connected (ok the inside of the connection) it had a slow leak but it was consistent.

 

[Jgeige]

It’s a older motor. Probably 1980’s

 

[Jgeige]

[No message]

 

[Jgeige]

I took out the drain screw off and no oil came out. It had what looks to be steel shavings. I’ve attached more picturesTexasmark

 

[Texasmark]

Racerone nailed it. Some body forgot to put fresh oil in the gear box after the repair. No wonder they won't return your calls! If you had the gearbox oil filled, in the normal sense and pulled that plug, after many many hours of operation it would have a thin film of minute metal particles suspended in oil....normal gear wear. You have chunks of metal...bearing race material probably.

 

[Jgeige]

Racerone nailed it. Some body forgot to put fresh oil in the gear box after the repair. No wonder they won't return your calls! If you had the gearbox oil filled, in the normal sense and pulled that plug, after many many hours of operation it would have a thin film of minute metal particles suspended in oil....normal gear wear. You have chunks of metal...bearing race material probably.

Thanks. I believe they actually did have oil in it. Maybe not enough. Idk. In my first picture you can see where it was slowly leaking out behind the prop..

 

[Jgeige]

Any suggestions on what to do about this issue?

 

[Texasmark]

Leaking out behind the prop could mean prop shaft seal wasn't replaced or replaced incorrectly.

How to handle? Faztbullet is a business owner and you can find his postings all over this site, espcially Mercury, prop and boating forums. Fine one, click on his name, will bring up his personal page. Send him a private message and see how he handles such matters.

 

[racerone]

Explain post # 1 on this thread.-------??---You thought you had a " spun prop " but the shop said your gears were bad !!!----Did you ask them to just repair your prop or to take the lower unit apart for overhaul ??