GPSDuckHunter
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2010
- Messages
- 37
I have a 2002, 40 hp 2 stroke, 3 cylinder Mercury with tiller handle.
So I went duck hunting this morning in about 35 degree temps. We went about 3 miles from the launch. On the way out, the engine sounded like it was skipping everyone once and awhile. Finally, when we were almost to the place we were going, the engine would hardly run. We got to the spot and I got to thinking about the problem. I figured that the gas tank had a little water in it since I accidentally left the vent hole open on the tank last week and we had some rain this week. I had some more gas and a five gallon bucket, so I pour out the old gas in the bucket and put in new stuff in the tank. The engine fired up great and after sputtering for a second it ran decent - for a few minutes.
Then it seemed like problems were back because when I tried to open up the throttle, the boat wouldn't accelerate although the engine was revving up fine. I went a little ways and then pulled over and checked the prop. Well the prop nut was loose and almost falling off. The prop had backed off some too. I figured I should inspect prop to see if any other problems. Around the groves that fit around the prop shaft I saw what looked like burnt up shreds of rubber. I also noticed that there was a tilt to the hole inside which made the center not parallel with the outside of the prop. You can see this in this picture. View attachment 80659
Well I cleared out the burnt rubber looking stuff and was lucky enough to have a crescent wrench on board. We put prop back on and tightened down the nut. The motor still wouldn't do much for us. Maybe 1 or 2 mph and wouldn't go faster even though motor was rev'd up. My brother said he thought it was a lower unit problem and not prop problem.
I have had problems with the motor "falling" into gear without me using the lever to change into forward. This has happened a couple times when the motor was rev'd up high when starting. I have also had problems figuring out why I am getting water in the lower unit. So after finally getting the boat back on the trailer (long story), I drained the lower unit oil, took the lower unit off, and pulled the bearing carrier. Oil was milky of course. Didn't notice any metal in lower unit but did notice some dirt/grit. I did see two places on the gear at the bottom of the shaft from the powerhead that indicated damage. That is the only damage I noticed after close inspection. No apparent damage to matching gear.
So, my plan is to get a pressure test done on the lower unit to figure out where I am getting oil in. My prop is very beat up, and with the damage I figure I am going to have to replace it. My question is, do you think the problem is attributed to damage on gear in lower unit or prop slipping? Thanks for the help and I'm sorry for such a long post.
So I went duck hunting this morning in about 35 degree temps. We went about 3 miles from the launch. On the way out, the engine sounded like it was skipping everyone once and awhile. Finally, when we were almost to the place we were going, the engine would hardly run. We got to the spot and I got to thinking about the problem. I figured that the gas tank had a little water in it since I accidentally left the vent hole open on the tank last week and we had some rain this week. I had some more gas and a five gallon bucket, so I pour out the old gas in the bucket and put in new stuff in the tank. The engine fired up great and after sputtering for a second it ran decent - for a few minutes.
Then it seemed like problems were back because when I tried to open up the throttle, the boat wouldn't accelerate although the engine was revving up fine. I went a little ways and then pulled over and checked the prop. Well the prop nut was loose and almost falling off. The prop had backed off some too. I figured I should inspect prop to see if any other problems. Around the groves that fit around the prop shaft I saw what looked like burnt up shreds of rubber. I also noticed that there was a tilt to the hole inside which made the center not parallel with the outside of the prop. You can see this in this picture. View attachment 80659
Well I cleared out the burnt rubber looking stuff and was lucky enough to have a crescent wrench on board. We put prop back on and tightened down the nut. The motor still wouldn't do much for us. Maybe 1 or 2 mph and wouldn't go faster even though motor was rev'd up. My brother said he thought it was a lower unit problem and not prop problem.
I have had problems with the motor "falling" into gear without me using the lever to change into forward. This has happened a couple times when the motor was rev'd up high when starting. I have also had problems figuring out why I am getting water in the lower unit. So after finally getting the boat back on the trailer (long story), I drained the lower unit oil, took the lower unit off, and pulled the bearing carrier. Oil was milky of course. Didn't notice any metal in lower unit but did notice some dirt/grit. I did see two places on the gear at the bottom of the shaft from the powerhead that indicated damage. That is the only damage I noticed after close inspection. No apparent damage to matching gear.
So, my plan is to get a pressure test done on the lower unit to figure out where I am getting oil in. My prop is very beat up, and with the damage I figure I am going to have to replace it. My question is, do you think the problem is attributed to damage on gear in lower unit or prop slipping? Thanks for the help and I'm sorry for such a long post.
