Frozen Up Motor (upper Or Lower) ?

[FLOATY]

I'm New To The Forum. I'm Looking Forward To Info I May Learn From All Of You. My ? Just Bought A 18' Ranger W/1988 Merc 115 Horse Straight Six. Owner Said Motor Stopped Will Running 3k Rpm No Loud Bang Or Clunk Proir. How Do I Determ/ If The Top Half Is Locked Up Or If It Cound Be The Lower Unit Frooze Somehow Keeping The Motor From Turning. Motor Was Free Thought I'd Give A Looksee Before I Pitched It.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Frozen Up Motor (upper Or Lower) ?

The best way is to pull the lower unit, you can drain the unit to check for metal shavngs first

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Frozen Up Motor (upper Or Lower) ?

What Laddies said, also you could take a 1/2" breaker bar and 15/16" socket; lay it on the flywheel nut and reef stoutly in both directions.

If the motor is locked up badly, you'll get nothing but solid resistance, absolutely no play or 'flex' at all.

If you get a bit of rocking motion back and forth or it feels 'flexy' at all, there may be hope for the powerhead.

Removing the lower unit then attempting to spin the flywheel will tell you for sure.

When pulling the lower unit, don't forget that there's a hidden bolt underneath the trim tab.

This bolt is accessible from above the trim tab thru a hole in the exhaust tower. There may be a plastic plug in this hole, just pry it out with a screwdriver. Note that the trim tab bolt may require a 12-point socket, others are hex-headed.

HTH & G'luck.........ed