After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

BudL1te

Seaman
Joined
Jun 8, 2012
Messages
63
I hit a sandbar at about 1500 to 2000 rpm. Motor bogged down and stopped.

I could smell Rubber.

On the back of the engine where the drive shaft is connected I can feel sticky rubber.

It is a 71 Mercruiser 4 cyl

Rear motor mounts solid.

One front one loose.

I believe I need to replace the coupler but have no Idea where to start or what I will need (special tools)

Any help would be apreciated.

Buddy
 

Failproof

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Messages
273
Re: After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

Pull the engine. Pull flywheel cover. Order new coupler. Reasemble. Align engine using new mounts if needed.
 
Joined
Mar 27, 2010
Messages
3,008
Re: After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

Welcome to Iboats..... :)

I'll be the 1st to send my condolences..... your gonna have to pull your engine.

Burnt rubber smell and sticky rubber back near the shaft is almost a 100% fried coupler. The coupler is bolted behind the engine's flywheel and the shaft from the outdrive slides into the splines in the coupler.

Yours is most likely toast.
 

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

Time to inspect the coupler, as you have likely spun yours. As was mentioned, you have to pull the engine and flywheel cover. Not a terribly difficult repair, but definitely a pain the butt.
 

BudL1te

Seaman
Joined
Jun 8, 2012
Messages
63
Re: After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

Thank you for the responses.

Will I need any special tools to do this? Alignment tool?

Where is the best place to get a coupler?
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

Will I need any special tools to do this?

Once you pull the engine, it's pretty straightforward.

Alignment tool?

Yes, you'll need to align the motor again...so an allignment tool is necessary.

Where is the best place to get a coupler?

Depends on whether you want a brand new one(online/dealer) or used(e-bay). Quite a few used out there. Just helped a friend with one a couple of weeks ago. He purchased a good used one for $85...cleaned it up and went on with no issues.
 

92rslt1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
102
Re: After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

I just did the same thing!

It was easy to pull the motor and replace it. If you have worked on cars, then this is cake.
4 hour job on my 454. Used a tree since my puller was too low. Good for a laugh, but it works.
Min was expensive, but the best price I got was from ebasicpower
 

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: After running the outdrive on sandbar engine smokes in back smells like rubber.

I'd hesitate to get a used coupler unless you don't mind possibly replacing it again. There's little you can inspect other than splines to tell if a coupler is in good condition. I'd eat the $200 or so and get a new one from ebasicpower or here at iboats. The ONLY reason I reused the coupler on my new engine was because I new its condition and treatment over the past 20 years.
 
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