Is this normal for an outboard motor........

[Texas Heat]

I have a 1971 65 horse Evinrude. When I start the motor (In Neutral ) the prop will spin a few times befroe it turns over. It will also spin the prop when I kill the engine. Is this normal? Thanks!

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

Engine vibration and/or through hub exhaust can spin the prop slowly when in neutral (running with muffs on, for example). Does that get at the situation you describe?

 

[summerbrz]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

You might have an electronic lower unit. If you have to push a button for foward nutrual and reverse, it is electonic. I used to have one of those. It is normal for the boat to start in gear then disengage as soon as the motor starts.

 

[Texas Heat]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

Yes it it an electric shift as you said. Is this a big deal. It seems to me that I could get into trouble if I try to start the motor and it is not deep enough and the prop spins and hits the bottom. What else might I do to keep the prop from spinning.

 

[summerbrz]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

I am not an expert but I don't think there is anything that can be done. A oldtimer told me that the lower unit stays in foward until it is energized by starting the motor then kick's out to nutural. The one I had did the exact same thing your's is doing, so I would guess this is normal operation. My advise would be to just be careful when you start the motor, espesially if there are people in the water.

 

[Texas Heat]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

Will take that under advisement. Guess I will just have to be careful. This is my first boat and just wanted to make sure all is OK. After reading in this Forum, I have learned allot about outboards and what can go wrong. I am surprised my motor will run @ all as seeing all the folks that have so many problems with there motors. Next boat I get will be a 4 stroke!

 

[pennyanman]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

I believe, if my (very dim) memory serves, the electric shift motors were set up that way on purpose, so that in the event you lost battery power, the motor could be manually started and get you home.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

Your lower is a hydro-electric. On start up the prop may spin slightly but it should be almost unoticable when the boat is in the water. If you can actually feel the boat moving forward on start up or shut down something is wrong. <br /><br />Also make sure you have the correct type lube. It makes a difference.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Texas Heat]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

D, when you say correct type Lube, do you mean to lower unit oil? Is there a differnt type for my motor? Thanks!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

Yes there is a specific type for your motor. Use OMC / Bombardier Premium Blend not the Hi-Vis.<br /><br />There are diodes on the motor that keep the motor in neutral when you shut the key off. If your motor jumps into gear as soon as you turn the key off most likely those diodes are bad. This is a potientaly dangerous situation.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Texas Heat]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

Man D, don't scare me like that! I don't think it is to that point. The prop just spins a couple turns while starting. Wife already thinks I bought the SS Minow!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is this normal for an outboard motor........

Get it fixed. I know of cases where someone was standing up in the boat and the operator reved up the motor in neutral and then shut off the key (for whatever reason) and it slammed into gear. In one case a young lady had her legs over the side getting ready to jump on the dock when it slammed into gear. It wasn't pretty.<br /><br />Get it fixed! Please! Those diodes are cheap compared to this picture.