What I have: 1989 VIP, 302 OMC Cobra, 573 Hours. Rapture 14.25 R19 stainless steel prop. Gear oil greenish, not milky, but there are shavings on the bottom magnetic drain plug at the botttom of the drive that I just checked before writing this. In past had seen an occassional shaving, but very random. Tonight noticed more, but not totally clogged...
Situation: Tonight was pulling kids and pal of mine wakeboarding when the 3rd time I started to pull my pal (220lbs), felt like the prop started spinning loose, like it was disconnected or slipping. RPMs jumped, high pitched noise, so powered down. I don't believe I hit anything under water, or if I did, didn't feel it. Tried again, boat would start, then 2-3 seconds after hitting it the rpms jump and t then feels like it spins loose.
Was able to limp home at 7mph, 1200RPM with no problem, but applying any more power feels like it has no "traction". No unusual noise at lower speed, but it sounds like a whine from a bad fan belt at higher speeds around 10mph.
As a non-technical guy I wondered if the prop was loose. Pulled out of water on trailer and slightly tightened the nut over the prop, but then figured that probably wasn't it because the shaft has splines so the prop is not free-spinning on the shaft. And the cotter pin was in place over the nut....After tightening, put back in and found out I was right, that didn't fix it. I noticed I could pull on the prop towards me and it would give a little bit, come toward me few mm's ...not sure if that is normal or not
Background: I've put 127 hours on this boat with the listed components over last 3 summers. Freshwater only. I keep a log for each "cruise" and all maintenance. Changed gear oil every 50 hours and this is the first time ever with this problem. This summer I have done a lot more towing a big tube (4 person Great Big Mable), so boat has been worked harder than in past years. I check the gear oil and it is not milky, or low.
I searched past posts, sounds like it could be a coupler, rounded off gears, lower unit, upper unit, Prop, splines, I read some flame wars in the posts, so I have no clue, except that DonS, JB, Bondo and Boomyal will each give good advice, OK maybe not "good" advice, but their opinions anyway.
Being an OMC Cobra, is this a death-knell?
-The optomistic guy in me says it's a simple issue that can be easily fixed.
-The pessimistic guy in me says this could be a major hassle involving pulling motor, maybe having to find someone who works on OMCs in Kansas City and may cost more than the boat is worth
-Realistic guy says it worth asking here for advice from the experts before I find someone to work on it (if they'll even work on OMC)
What's next?
Situation: Tonight was pulling kids and pal of mine wakeboarding when the 3rd time I started to pull my pal (220lbs), felt like the prop started spinning loose, like it was disconnected or slipping. RPMs jumped, high pitched noise, so powered down. I don't believe I hit anything under water, or if I did, didn't feel it. Tried again, boat would start, then 2-3 seconds after hitting it the rpms jump and t then feels like it spins loose.
Was able to limp home at 7mph, 1200RPM with no problem, but applying any more power feels like it has no "traction". No unusual noise at lower speed, but it sounds like a whine from a bad fan belt at higher speeds around 10mph.
As a non-technical guy I wondered if the prop was loose. Pulled out of water on trailer and slightly tightened the nut over the prop, but then figured that probably wasn't it because the shaft has splines so the prop is not free-spinning on the shaft. And the cotter pin was in place over the nut....After tightening, put back in and found out I was right, that didn't fix it. I noticed I could pull on the prop towards me and it would give a little bit, come toward me few mm's ...not sure if that is normal or not
Background: I've put 127 hours on this boat with the listed components over last 3 summers. Freshwater only. I keep a log for each "cruise" and all maintenance. Changed gear oil every 50 hours and this is the first time ever with this problem. This summer I have done a lot more towing a big tube (4 person Great Big Mable), so boat has been worked harder than in past years. I check the gear oil and it is not milky, or low.
I searched past posts, sounds like it could be a coupler, rounded off gears, lower unit, upper unit, Prop, splines, I read some flame wars in the posts, so I have no clue, except that DonS, JB, Bondo and Boomyal will each give good advice, OK maybe not "good" advice, but their opinions anyway.
Being an OMC Cobra, is this a death-knell?
-The optomistic guy in me says it's a simple issue that can be easily fixed.
-The pessimistic guy in me says this could be a major hassle involving pulling motor, maybe having to find someone who works on OMCs in Kansas City and may cost more than the boat is worth
-Realistic guy says it worth asking here for advice from the experts before I find someone to work on it (if they'll even work on OMC)
What's next?
