Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

[torombolo]

Hello everyone, is that time of the year for me and my 262, time to take her out of the water for service and meaintenance & repairs. Below is a list of things I want to do, if you have any suggestions PLEASE post them here, they are always welcome!

1-Antifouling paint for bottom & sterndrive
2-sterndrive service (gear lube, cleaning, props, paint, seals, belows)
3-full tune up (oil & filter, Spark plugs, water separator)
4-Maybe engine coupler replacement (this was changed last summer, I belive the engine was not align properly and is now doing the same, motor revs up poperlly but it dont push)

aside from the OEM recomended Quicksilver 4-stroke oil, do you recomend any other oil, anything better than that?


Thanks in advance for loking

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

4-Maybe engine coupler replacement (this was changed last summer, I belive the engine was not align properly and is now doing the same, motor revs up poperlly but it dont push)

How did the old coupler fail? Rubber came apart or the splines stripped out. Do you grease the coupler splines during the season?
You should start pulling the drive every 50 hours or so and check the alignment if that is your problem. Something else is obviously wrong.

 

[torombolo]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Don, the first time I made a tight turn and the rubber got weared (sorry spell) to one side, after the maintenance and replacement in June or July I repeated the stupind tight turn and again is doing the same, my guess, the mechanic didnt align or it might had been a little loose, but the engine feels tight, not moving. Other than that my RPM's, temp, acceleration everything else seems fine.
Have not greased the coupler once since installed

Thanks for the fast response

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Turning isn't going to take out a coupler unless there is something else wrong. Engine loose on the stringers, transom rotten and things moving around in tight turns. Impossible to say why.
You many hours a year do you run the boat?

 

[torombolo]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Don, since July 2012 maybe 6 to 10 at the most, and never above 2500 - 3000 rpm's

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

If it is the coupler gone in less than 10 hours, you have something seriously wrong.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing. The coupler bolts to the flywheel. To replace it, you have to pull the engine.

Is that the coupler you are referring to?

 

[torombolo]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

ouch!!!!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

If it is the coupler gone in less than 10 hours, you have something seriously wrong.

Yes........possibly "Double Ouch " I'm afraid......

If the coupler is indeed "gone" it's either what Don said, Transom and/or engine mount stringer "rot", engine mounts loose ETC, or the mechanic that previously "aligned" your engine after the last coupler replacement............ DIDN'T (properly align it, that is)

Let me also add that if the coupler is in fact failed. The engine not only must come out but someone will need to inspect/repair the transom, stringer/engine mounts carefully to fix it.

If the above is required, you'll need some rather EXTENSIVE (expensive) fiberglass repairs.

Sorry about that.


Rick

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing. The coupler bolts to the flywheel. To replace it, you have to pull the engine.

Is that the coupler you are referring to?

What about this question? "Ouch" doesn't answer that at all.

 

[torombolo]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Sorry, engine coupler sierra 18-2323,
My uneducated guess is that the engine was not properlly align.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

All the motor mounts have to be good, and installed with all the proper hardware, and an actual alignment done. Bet the guy pulled the engine and changed the coupler and never pulled the drive. Miss a piece of hardware under the mount, and you would be lucky to get 10 hours out of it.

That is also the wrong coupler for a Bravo drive, that's for an Alpha drive. You need the 18-2412 for the Bravo.

Here is what you have now. http://sierramarine.com/interchange/interoem2.asp?oe_item=18643A5&item=18-2323

here is what you should have, http://sierramarine.com/interchange/interoem2.asp?oe_item=861523A9&item=18-2412

 

[torombolo]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Don, he did pulled the drive, he took the entire thing apart and checked everything before moving to the coupler, but like you say, the actual alignment dont think so.

Don the coupler that was replaced last year was the 18-2323, it was a triangular shape not round.
My motor is a 5.7, with Bravo 3

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Don the coupler that was replaced last year was the 18-2323, it was a triangular shape not round.
My motor is a 5.7, with Bravo 3

I know, It should be the round one, the triangular one is for an Alpha.

Look at this from the Merc parts program.
Items 4 and 9

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

I know, It should be the round one, the triangular one is for an Alpha.

Look at this from the Merc parts program.
Items 4 and 9


View attachment 183329

Is it even possible to properly align a Bravo with an Alpha coupler installed?

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Is it even possible to properly align a Bravo with an Alpha coupler installed?

Yes, but they aren't as strong either, and dual props put a lot more load on the coupler with any engine,

 

[torombolo]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Thanks for the information, Im really shock, since I saw the one that was removed "never changed by previous owner" and it was the 18-2323, no wonder, you put the wrong part in plus not align recipe for a broken boat. a well......

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

You might want to have a look at the stickies at the top of the forum. (The first two threads)

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Wait until you get to pay for the Bravo coupler

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Merc 5.7, Bravo 3 Service Time

Wait until you get to pay for the Bravo coupler

yeah.


Here's a Sierra for about $400 + shipping....... Engine Coupler Assembly for Mercruiser 861523A9 18311A17 - Sierra 18-2412 - iboats