1976 OMC 175<br /><br />I've seen some other posts on this subject that were helpful, but no one responded back on how they finally fixed their problem. For example the post "sudden jump in rpms by omcstringer" sound very similiar to my problem. <br /><br />I took my boat out today and noticed when I gave it full throttle to get up on plane I would hear a light clunk and then it sounded like a clutch was slipping. The slipping sound stopped when I eased off the throttle. I then accelerated slowly and the boat did fine once it got up on plane. This only happened when first starting off.<br /><br />From the previous posts, I've been able to determine it could be a prop slipping.<br /><br />The service department at our local marine shop thinks it is a problem with the lower unit????<br /><br />I'm having the local marine shop change the fluids for me this week. I also have a spare prop I can try.<br /><br />Could low fluid in the lower unit cause this problem? <br /><br />Does anyone else think it is a problem with something in the lower unit?
<br />Your lower unit has a drive shaft that has splines on it. These splines slide into corresponding notches in the engine coupler at the rear of your engine. If these do not get enough grease, they can wear out. If this is happening you will soon have permanent neutral as the engine coupler slides around the axle. The part that really bites, is that you have to remove the engine to replace the coupler. You can pull the outdrive and look into the coupler to confirm if this is the problem. I see no reason why low fluid would cause anythink to slip like a clutch.