engine coupler

[vipertblck]

what would cause an engine coupler to need replacing? I understand if the engine moves and becomes misaligned, it's more stress on the coupler and could wreck it if not re-aligned; but I only ask this post because in browsing I found a newer boat with minimal hours that had the coupler replaced because the guy hit a sand bar and the marina he maintains his boat at told him he should replace the coupler? Boat is only a 99 cobalt that had 170 hours at the time of the incident. Boat and outdrive was all ok but when he had it serviced later that year the marina suggested he replace the coupler in the near future? That sounded odd to me....any thoughts? Just trying to learn as I do research for buying my first boat & things to look for & maintain.

 

[MikDee]

Re: engine coupler

The coupler is like a hub on a prop, but for the driveshaft, it's bigger, & stronger. A bad hit to the prop, or drivetrain, might damage the coupler, causing it to slip, eventually it would just give out. Old age, misalignment, & wear, & tear may cause this as well. The drive has to come off, AND the engine has to come out to replace this. Maybe it was not aligned properly by the marina, causing premature wear.
That's why checking engine, & drive, alignment yearly is probably a good idea.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: engine coupler

Another cause of premature coupler failure is lots of low speed running without halving the coupler greasing schedule.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: engine coupler

My thoughts are that the marina had some coupler inventory that they were looking to move. More of a pre-caution than a necessity IMHO.

 

[vipertblck]

Re: engine coupler

Are couplers something that are a normally maintenanced item? Meaning are they meant to be serviced at specific intervals?

 

[gtochris]

Re: engine coupler

That's why checking engine, & drive, alignment yearly is probably a good idea.

How do you go about checking this alignment? Long shaft into the gimble housing? So many variables in play with alignment.

 

[MikDee]

Re: engine coupler

Are couplers something that are a normally maintenanced item? Meaning are they meant to be serviced at specific intervals?

Oops! Sorry, Re-Edited for more info.

Not really, they are like an aluminum bowl filled with solid rubber, with a female spline socket bonded inside, with a plate on the back that bolts onto the flywheel. The outdrive spline/shaft slips into them (that's where grease is needed, so it doesn't bind up). Yearly servicing usually suffices, whenever you do an outdrive alignment check.

 

[gtochris]

Re: engine coupler

Yearly servicing usually suffices, whenever you do an outdrive alignment check.

Any link or tip on how to perform?

 

[MikDee]

Re: engine coupler

How do you go about checking this alignment? Long shaft into the gimble housing? So many variables in play with alignment.

Yes, with an outdrive alignment tool, you can buy one, or rent one. They're not that expensive on E-bay to have one for yearly alignment checks.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: engine coupler

Are couplers something that are a normally maintenanced item? Meaning are they meant to be serviced at specific intervals?

Not something that you normally see replaced on any sort of a schedule. The aligning and greasing is the extent of the maintenance. The labor to replace a coupler is pretty extensive, since the engine has to be pulled out to gain access.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: engine coupler

Any link or tip on how to perform?

Start HERE!.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: engine coupler

I have never, replaced one or had one replace on any of the boats that I have owned, grew up on (7 so far)

grease properly, align properly and you should be good.

damage from hitting a sandbar? sounds weird as there are many break first/damage first points before that.

a coupler either fails or works. doesn't slip for long.

sounds like someone wants the labor hours as there are many in that job

 

[Walt T]

Re: engine coupler

My boat is a 1988 with a Volvo 290. I never once checked alignment for maintenance. Two engine replacements, one in 1992, and the other in 2012 were the only time I checked. Believe that s***?

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: engine coupler

My boat is a 1988 with a Volvo 290. I never once checked alignment for maintenance. Two engine replacements, one in 1992, and the other in 2012 were the only time I checked. Believe that s***?

2 engines? wow

sounds like they are working well for you

 

[vipertblck]

Re: engine coupler

2 engines? wow

sounds like they are working well for you

I'm confused, was that humor or were you serious about the engines working well for him?
Sure that's a long span between engines, but if maintained properly, marine engines shouldn't need replacing at all, right?! Maybe after thousands of hours but...?

 

[MikDee]

Re: engine coupler

I'm confused, was that humor or were you serious about the engines working well for him?
Sure that's a long span between engines, but if maintained properly, marine engines shouldn't need replacing at all, right?! Maybe after thousands of hours but...?

I think not enuff toys, was referring to the couplers. If you build up a small block Chevy to say, over 300hp, The weak point is the coupler.
Fast, & hard driving will eventually burn it out,,, and there ain't no heavy duty couplers made for these! You can figure out what happens with age, & abuse, rubber dries out after awhile.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: engine coupler

yeah, thanks MikDee

 

[Bondo]

Re: engine coupler

I think not enuff toys, was referring to the couplers. If you build up a small block Chevy to say, over 300hp, The weak point is the coupler.
Fast, & hard driving will eventually burn it out,,, and there ain't no heavy duty couplers made for these! You can figure out what happens with age, & abuse, rubber dries out after awhile.

Ayuh,..... Bull,...... The Weak point is the drive,.... Upper gears, 'n vertical shaft, numbers 1, 'n 2,.....

Ripped/ twisted splines in the coupler, 'n on the input shaft are from full throttle launches off a wave,...

 

[thumpar]

Re: engine coupler

What drive are we talking about?