Mercruiser Coupler Run-Out Question

[Alpheus]

I purchased a new coupler for my 4.3 engine (18643A5). When I put it on and ground ran the engine, I noticed the grease tube on the coupler was way off center. I carefully checked the run-out on the coupler (right outside the splines) and it was perfect but the grease tube was off almost .250" . Is this tube able to be corrected or am I shopping for ANOTHER coupler???

Maybe the third time will be a charm...

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Mercruiser Coupler Run-Out Question

It's time to go shopping.Your problem will only get worse Good luck,Ted

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Coupler Run-Out Question

It sounds like the coupler was assembled wrong and the inner tube is not square to the flywheel. You usually don't notice it till you install the engine and try to align it, then when you turn it a half turn the bar won't go in.
Get it replaced, it happens on occasion, even to OEM parts.

 

[muc]

Re: Mercruiser Coupler Run-Out Question

A couple of things.
Mercruiser came out with service bulletin 2009-11 on coupler replacement.
I'm guessing it was because they were getting couplers returned as defective that were not.
Did you follow these instructions when you installed your coupler?
Also don't expect the dealer to refund your money until Merc OKs the refund to the dealer ? that can take one month.
I agree with Don that it might be a bad coupler. We do get a bad one every once in a while. Enough that if the engine install will take more time than warranty covers we will check run-out before we put the engine back in the boat.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Mercruiser Coupler Run-Out Question

I have ground ran many engines and this is the first one that when it was running the coupler tube had an obvious "wobble" to it. Like I said, the run out on the coupler itself is perfect but that tube is really bad. I just didn't know if you could smack it back in place or if its bad...