Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

[RAT Attack]

If there is ever a bright side to things, being towed in by your brother is much better than a stranger...

I am so stressed out right now. My boat has been running awesome for the last 110 hours, and had to get towed in to the dock today. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't even know where to start.

My day started off good. Launch and some cruising all was sweet in the sun. I was meeting my brother in about an hour. His boat never has problems, but did today too. His battery was dead. I gave him my spare, but it didn't have enough juice either to start his up. I then gave him my battery & put my spare back on mine ( while still running ) to let my system charge it back up. Everything was good running for about a mile or so. We stopped at a cove for a bit after I ran it & when taking off the drama began. My engine was running great, I went through about a 150 yard section of no wake ( prop. turning fine ), hit the throttle about 3/4 and it went for about 30 yards, heard a snap, and then nothing. I thought I spun the hub on my prop., so I put my back-up on, but nothing. ( ?????????? )
If I put it in foward or reverse with the throttle & not running, I can't move the shaft. In nuetral it still turns fine. I hooked it up to the muff's at the house while running, & nothing. No turn from the prop. I also tried it without the prop. on but still with the muff's, but still no turn. All of the spline gears on the shaft & hub looked perfect. Is this a cable issue, or something more serious. I know you don't know the answer, but any advice would be greatly appreciated....
THANKS!
My boat is listed in my signature if that helps at all....

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

I am going to try & tinker around with it after work today. Should I start looking at the trottle and work my way back or what? Just wondering if you think it is in the outdrive, linkage, cable, or whatever...

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

Could be you spun the coupler on the back of the engine. Did you smell any burned rubber when it went? When this happens, it usually will move at idle speed but not any faster.
Did the engine start overheating, if so, the splines in the coupler may have stripped out and will not turn the drive shaft at all. Including the raw water pump.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

Ayuh,.... If the Coupler checks out Ok,.....
My guess is there's an Internal issue with the drive...
Like broken gears or snapped shaft...

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

does it pump water around whilst on the muffs?as stated above the shaft from lower to upper housing may have all the splined area sheared off and be in the gear.pop lower off and investigate.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

Thanks Guys...
I didn't get a chance to mess with it last night, i got stuck at work longer than expected.
I didn't smell any burnt rubber smell, or any overheating, and it wouldn't go even at idle speed. When the muffs are on, water would just shoot out of the middle of the prop., but would not turn. I also didn't hear any grinding noise at all when it happened ( more like a pop & then wouldn't go ), and appears to move smooth when moving the prop. by hand with the engine off. I will get my manual out to figure out how to take the lower off to check it out...
Any other thoughts are appreciated and THANKS!

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

I spoke with one of my buddy's friends, that is also a head mechanic @ Bass Pro, and he thinks it is a coupler as well...
Does the engine need to come out to replace?

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

Does the engine need to come out to replace?

Sure does, right after pulling the drive.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

This sounds pretty expensive!
This mechanic is going to do it on the side @ his home, so what would be a pretty fair price.? It sure sounds like it is going to be a bunch of work for him. Thanks for opinions!

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

He is going to do the work for $400 labor, plus the price of parts.
What do you think? I think it is a good deal!

 

[jestncase]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

Im no expert, but if he's pulling the engine for 400 bucks, plus parts, I'd say thats a pretty good deal.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

Im no expert, but if he's pulling the engine for 400 bucks, plus parts, I'd say thats a pretty good deal.

Exactly what I was thinking too!

 

[othelloears]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

I have the 5.0 as well. Coupler went last year. Mechanic wanted 1200$ so I did it myself. Pretty easy job if you don't remove engine from boat...just lift up and turn around. You can get the coupler for about $150 online.

400$ labor is great deal

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Merc. 5.0 & Alpha 1. Runs good, but won't go

I paid $300 for it at a local marina. I should have shopped online, but anxious to get her back on the lake i guess. Last weekend sucked without it! We still rode our motorcycle, but just wasn't the same!