Motor runs but propeller spins free

[prcacowboy08]

Hello and forgive me if there is a thread already on this...I looked but did not see one. My 89 Stratos has a Evinrude XP 200 hp that starts up and runs good but the propeller spins free..it kind of just rocks back and forth. Is it the bearings or is the hub stripped out. Don't really know what happened but I can fix it myself if I can find the problem was just wondering if some of you might know what it is before I start tearing into it. Mechanic said it was the bearing gone in the lower unit but he is not a very reputible mechanic. I can order the parts but you guys have been of very big help on another project I had and wanted to ask you guys first. And again sorry for a repost if there is a thread already.

 

[Camo Joe]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

First make sure its getting in gear......forward and reverse.............check the cable adjustment.............shear pin in the prop..........etc. Did you hit something?..............History?

Could be a tooth busted off a gear..............

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

probably spun the hub on the prop. If the center of the prop is turning but the blades aren't thats what it is.

 

[prcacowboy08]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

No it just stopped pulling... when I looked at it ...it was just rocking back and forth but didn't look to see if the center was turning or not. How hard is it to fix if it spun the hub?

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

No it just stopped pulling... when I looked at it ...it was just rocking back and forth but didn't look to see if the center was turning or not. How hard is it to fix if it spun the hub?

A spun hub is easy to replace on most props. The old hub is pressed out and a new one inserted in it's place. That or replace the prop.

Try removing the prop (it's one nut) and have a look at the condition of the hub and prop. Do you have a spare prop you can try on it?

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

Typically with a spun prop hub the prop would still turn with no or light load. It would only slip as you add load/increase speed.

To me it sound like either the shift cable is out of adjustment/broken, the sift rod is broken, or there is a stripped gear in the lower unit.

Check the shift cable, check that the shift rod is engaged and make sure it is moving up and down when you shift from neutral to forward and to reverse. If that is all working drain the oil from the lower unit and look for metal shavings/pieces.

Hopefully it is the cable or the shift rod.

 

[prcacowboy08]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

The nut turns as well as the prop. all cables are good and it ingages forward and reverse. it looks like a bearing is out and it could be a stripped gear because it will not turn at all it just rocks back and forth with no full rotation.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

My money is on a bad pinion, drain the gear oil and see what is in it, if you blew a gear there will be metal chunks(not shavings, chunks) in the oil.

Disconect the shift cable at the engine and manually put it in gear(engine off) and see if you can turn the prop by hand, if it does go into gear you have a broke, stretched shift cable if not it is probably a gear problem.

The way a lower works you have the drive shaft with a pinion gear coming in the top, forward and reverse are against that vertically with a clutch dog in betwen the gears.

Selecting forward or reverse slides the clutch dog forward or backward to engage the gear, if the engine is running the gears are turning.

 

[glassmaster68]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

sounds like a spun prop,if you dont get any metal garbage out when you drain lower,its prob just spun prop,if the shaft that goes through the prop still turns good when in gear,and no grinding noise from inside lower unit,,,i would try new prop setup,whatever you have,,,hope its not the gears,sounds like spun prop though

 

[bktheking]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

Hard to know without seeing it, bearing carrier?

 

[Camo Joe]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

I still think its a tooth broke off the pinion gear......the curved missing tooth on the gear is just pushing the prop back and forth a bit and not engaging...........bad bearings is the cause...........or possible broke shaft...............Pull it off and look..............

 

[prcacowboy08]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

How hard is it to disassemble the lower unit to check it and if possible to change the broken part or parts?

 

[71Windsor]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

Getting to the internals and doing any work in there is not fun. You will need several specialty pliers to remove snap rings and ect. I would start with the oil and see where your at. Ive replaced my forward gear on my 200xp once and will never go about it again without purchasing EVERY tool the book says to.

Your gear oil will absolutely tell you whats going on in there. Drain it. I would change it any way gear oil is not that bad on cost. 12-14$ here.

Drain it tell us what you see. Color, consistency, debris, water mixing, ect any thing you see.

Cheers,
Frank
Pennsville NJ

 

[prcacowboy08]

Re: Motor runs but propeller spins free

Ok drained the oil ...well tried to it was thick like grease and full of metal. But I found the problem it was the drive shaft teeth worn off. It would have to be the most expensive peice in the blanketi blank blank lower unit. Anyone know where to get one reasonable.