1986 200 merc prop spins in forward and reverse but boat will not move

[kawidad]

Prop goes in and put of gear good but in the water when you give it Gas the motor revs and the prop spins but I don't go anywhere it just happened last week while I was coming across the lake it just felt like it kicked out of gear no grinding or bad sounds I held a board on the prop while the boat was on earmuffs and gave it a little gas and the motor revs and the prop does not spin and neither does the prop shaft is there a clutch or something that could be causing this ?????? Sorry its so long winded

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 1986 200 merc prop spins in forward and reverse but boat will not move

While on the trailer and with the motor OFF

Shift into Forward gear and try to turn the porp by hand or step on the blade with your foot, does it LOCK in one direction and ratchet in the other?

Disconnect the shift cable at the motor and see if the shift linkage moves any further, then retest turning the prop. Does it lock now?

Repeat test in Reverse.

Failure of these simple test indicate a problem inside the gear case, it will then need to come apart for inspection.