I have a 1999 2 Stroke Carb Merc 150 HP. Ran 14 miles offshore the other day and everything was great. Ran back in and when we slowed down to idle, the engine was making a metal clanking noise. As best I can tell it is resonating up from the lower unit. The noise is sporadic and not rhythmic which leads me away from a cylinder or anything top side. The clanking noise can be heard while at idle in gear, reverse or neutral. Once I increase throttle the noise cannot be heard (it might still be there just covered by the engine noise). When I hear the clank it also seems to briefly bog the engine down.
I spoke with my mechanic and he thinks it is the pinion gear in the lower unit. I dropped the lower unit and turned the drive shaft by hand and did not hear anything. The only abnormality I noticed was the drive shaft had some play moving it side to side with light pressure and would make a similar clanking sound.
Is there any easy way I can verify a damaged pinion gear without removing the prop shaft? Has anybody had a similar experience? Also, would it be possible to still engage the prop shaft if the pinion gear was damaged and making that noise?
Any thoughts, help, insight, or comments are greatly appreciated!
I spoke with my mechanic and he thinks it is the pinion gear in the lower unit. I dropped the lower unit and turned the drive shaft by hand and did not hear anything. The only abnormality I noticed was the drive shaft had some play moving it side to side with light pressure and would make a similar clanking sound.
Is there any easy way I can verify a damaged pinion gear without removing the prop shaft? Has anybody had a similar experience? Also, would it be possible to still engage the prop shaft if the pinion gear was damaged and making that noise?
Any thoughts, help, insight, or comments are greatly appreciated!