Oh bummer.

[Doneysitdown]

Hi all. I have a mercruiser 140. 1988 drive. Serial # 6714883. Story goes at the end of the season last year struck a rock with the out drive. Boat stopped moving. Lifted up the drive and found that prop did not spin at all. Forward or reverse. Got towed back got frustrated and winterized it. Fast forward to now and I have the itch to get the repairs started. Checking out the boat again when the boat is in neutral the prop spins freely. In forward gear. Ccw it grabs but if you turn it more it sounds like rubbing your finger on a window with moisture on it. Reverse gear is the same only opposite direction. I did check the prop hub and it is fine. I know it's more than likely a bad break. Just trying to gauge if it's more the lower unit or the upper gear housing. Also wondering if it's more economical to fix myself, buy new or used, and where to go for parts. Thanks in advance

 

[Mercruiser420]

Are you hearing any noises when its running? you'd hear something if you have broken gears/u-joints/shafts. If its engaging in both F and R and turning with resistance each way the lower is probably OK, but not necessarily. I'd check the coupler too when you pull the drive.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... Yer hearin' the impeller turnin',.... rubber on ssteel,....

To figure out what's broken, drop the lower unit off the upper unit,.....

I suspect the top of the lower unit input shaft sheared off at the o-ring groove, or the upper gears are smoked,....

 

[Doneysitdown]

Thanks for the quick replies. Bondo i think what you described is what is going on. When it was running last there was no clunking or any of the like. If either of those two situations that you described are true what would be the best way to approach the repair? I will still however check the coupler

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Drop the lower unit, 'n see what's up 1st,....

If the shaft sheared off, a replacement aftermarket lower might be the cheapest, quickist way out,...
Or,...
Have yer lower rebuilt somewhere, with a new vertical shaft,....

If the upper gears are smoked, I'd go with a new aftermarket drive from right here at iboats,.....

Rebuildin' yer's would cost considerably more,....

 

[Doneysitdown]

Well Bondo you were right. Lower unit input shaft sheared right at the o ring. Next question is what's the better choice for repair. New or rebuilt? Sorry for asking so many questions. This is my first I/O

 

[thumpar]

I would probably go with an SEI lower. You can buy them here on iboats. If you suspect any issues with the upper unit, you might pop the cap, you could buy a complete drive.

 

[Doneysitdown]

I did pop the cap and there was no shavings or chips in the gears so I believe that the upper unit is fine

 

[thumpar]

The SEI lower would be my route.