Is this normal?

boater1234

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
869
Well i just got my new 20hp 4stroke merc.I just opened the box yesterday to really take a good lokk at it and i noticed the prop was wobbleing.I said is this normal.The prop shaft is perfect as the chances of it coming from the factory bent is probally slim to none.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?When i turn the prop you can see a slight wobble.If this has happened to anyone else what did you do?I don't see how it will hurt anything,or will it?I know for sure it's the prop as i can see the rubber insert is off center so it's causing the prop to not spin perfectly straight.I mean as long as it won't hurt anything i will just use it but if it will i hope someone can chime in on this if they have had this kind of experience.Thanks guys.
 

seahorse5

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
4,698
Re: Is this normal?

chances are the propeller's pressed in rubber hub is slightly out of true. As soon as you run it in gear, it should straighten up and be fine. I see that a lot in rebuilt props that had a new hub installed.
 

boater1234

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
869
Re: Is this normal?

Yes you are right seahorse that is exactly what i see.You can clearly see the rubber is way off.So you say that will self straighten itself as it's running?I have the worst luck as there is always some kind of problem with a new motor.But i guess if it's a minor thing i will just not worry about it.I just don't want the motor to vibrate really bad from it.That is all i'm concerned about.Thanks for the reply.
 

mc66

Seaman
Joined
May 18, 2010
Messages
61
Re: Is this normal?

I would contact merc you said its brand new? If your out in water and that becomes loose or so called spun your done. Shaft spins rubber spins prop dosent spin good luck. I would call merc maybe they will send you a fresh replacement for good customer relations then you have original for spare
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,241
Re: Is this normal?

You got it in a box? Didn't your dealer set it up, add oil, test run it, yada, yada, yada?
 

boater1234

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
869
Re: Is this normal?

I didn't want them to set it up as i don't know how long it will be till i use it.So i didn't want the carbs to gum up.Also right now i'm breaking in my new 15hp 2stroke merc first.It seems to be a very common thing on new outboards.I have picked up 2 new outboards that have never been ran before and they are the same way so they can't all be bad props.The rubber inside is fine just not centered perfectly.I went to my local dealer who sells yamaha and he said that is very common on new motors as when you start using the motor it straightens out from the torque of the motor.They never balance new props from the factory.Now reconditioned ones they do.I don't know why but that is what i was told plus i looked at over 10 yamaha motors the marina had on their rack and out of 10 outboards 3 were straight and the other 7 wobbled like mine.That is when he told me what happens.When you open up the motor is self straightens from the torque of the motor.All the props can't be bad on the 7 outboards i saw so there must be some truth to what he is telling me.
 
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