Help with an inoperable speedo

[WTR4FUN]

My friend has a 2007 Tahoe Q6 sport. Late last season the factory speedometer stopped working, it just reads 0mph. I looked at his transom and it does not have a pitot tube for the speedo. I've read that some speedometers work from the outdrive, so that may be the case here. How can we check it to see what may be broken, loose, clogged, etc. The boat is equipped with a 4.3 fuel injected mercruiser v6 and mercruiser outdrive. Im not sure what model outdrive it is. Any help with this would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[QC]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

I am 99.9% sure it is an Alpha, but it doesn't matter as both the Bravo and Alpha have the pitot inlet in the drive itself. Tiny hole above the "bullet" but below the Ventilation plate. Probably a piece of carp in there . . .

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Ok, I know what the ventilation plate is but not sure about the bullet. Now I will assume it will be easy to recognize based on the descriptive name, and the hole should be on the back side of the drive so it can take in the water. I will give it a look tonight when I see him. Thanks

 

[QC]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Bullet is the round thing leading to the propeller. Uhh . . . I would call that the front side using the direction of travel as my orientation . . .

 

[tfiore]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

I am 99.9% sure it is an Alpha, but it doesn't matter as both the Bravo and Alpha have the pitot inlet in the drive itself. Tiny hole above the "bullet" but below the Ventilation plate. Probably a piece of carp in there . . .

You stated there might be a piece of "carp" in the pitot inlet..... Couldn't it just as easily be some other type of fish? Bass, bluegill, etc.. Ha (I think you meant that there might be some "crap" in there??

Well.. I thought it was funny at least..

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Good point about the direction of travel. Im just used to considering the part of something that faces me the front. Hope it is something as simple as a blockage...... thanks

 

[QC]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

I was going to say a "piece of bass" and would have had a similar, and maybe funny, play on words. We often use carp here instead of crapola, it was on purpose . . .

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

I don't know why....but the title of this thread made me chuckle....

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

I don't know why....but the title of this thread made me chuckle....

I guess it does let one's mind wander. Makes for a funny "mental picture"

 

[QC]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Good point about the direction of travel

No biggee, and I understood. Clarity is sooo important when trying to convey something technical with text as the only method . . . Picture would fix that though.

 

[witenite0560]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I would consider a speedo with a carp in it inoperable, or at least unwearable!!

 

[axeslinger1957]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I would consider a speedo with a carp in it inoperable, or at least unwearable!!

Does an inoperable speedo constitute "wardrobe failure"?
There is something "fishy" about a speedo with carp in it! :redface:

 

[tfiore]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Sitting here reading this forum is so much better than work.....

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

So I finally had a chance to look at the drive and there is no small hole on the front side of the bullet. Any other suggestions?

 

[QC]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

See if this helps. If it is a Mercruiser, the intake hole is where I show it here. VERY small . . .

 

[witenite0560]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

The hole is pretty small, as I recall. Depending on how much gunk you have on the leading edge of your outdrive, it could be covered up or blocked. You could try disconnecting the line on the back of the speedo and blowing in the line while a helper sprays some soapy water on the leading edge of the outdrive and looks for bubbles. You could use compressed air, too. Just don't blow into the speedo with compressed air! It'll probably ruin it. Not made for that much air pressure.

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

That does help for a number of reasons, thanks. I did feel right in the area on the bullet and above it, and did not feel a hole there. I think tonight i will take another look, the hole may be too small for me to just feel for, especially if it is clogged.

thanks again

 

[FlyinGuy1017]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Another good idea is to disconnect the supply line from the outdrive (located vertically on the front top side of the anti-cav plate, and blow compressed air backward into the intake side. This can sometimes dislodge any stuck 'carp' from the inlet. I caution PLEASE DO NOT USE A SMALL DRILLBIT TO REMOVE THE 'CARP'!. It will most likely break off in there or resize the hole.

I still haven't gotten that broken bit out of mine

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: Help with an inoperable speedo

Speedo? Don't pull it over your shoulders "Borat" style, and remember the potato goes in the front.

Seriously though, Also check the area right on the front edge of the top of the anti-ventilation plate as that is where the pitot tube connects to the out drive. My mechanic did not hook mine up last year when he removed my lower unit and I had to find it this spring. It's a small black tube with a clip of sorts on the end, it just snaps into place.