Volvo Penta SX drive not going into gear

[fatjr12]

I was at the lake yesterday and the boat was running fine. I was in forward gear and running it up to planning speed when all of a sudden, the engine over-revved and the boat fell off plane and stopped. I first thought that I had spun a hub on my prop but it appears that the prop is fine and is not even turning at idle speed.

I did some preliminary observations and here is what I know so far:

When attempting to shift into forward or reverse, there is no change in RPM or anything that indicates that the outdrive is engaged. No sound, no familiar bump or anything.

With the engine off and the shifter engaged in forward or reverse, I can turn the prop by hand in either direction.

I went up to the boat today and took off the panel on the outdrive so I could inspect the linkage. I had a buddy move the shifter between forward, neutral and reverse while I was looking a it. The cable is still connected properly and it moves the shifting mechanism on the outdrive the way it should.

Since it was light outside, I was also able to verify that with the engine running and the shifter in forward, the prop was not spinning at all. It does not make any noise when I put I in gear but I am wondering if the outdrive is shot.

My boat has a Volvo Penta SX outdrive. Has anyone experienced this before or know what the problem may be? Am I looking at purchasing a new outdrive?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[Bondo]

My boat has a Volvo Penta SX outdrive. Has anyone experienced this before or know what the problem may be?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... Pull the drive, 'n check the splines on the input shaft,....

More likely the coupler bolted to the back of the motor, that the input shaft slides into is Beat,....

Did you happen to smell burnt rubber 'bout when ya lost power,..??

 

[bruceb58]

Have you checked your gear oil level lately?

 

[fatjr12]

No smell of burnt rubber or any kind of smoke.

The outdrive had been run about 7 hours since the last lubricant change. Also, old lubricant was still pretty clean.

I'm thinking that if the coupler went, it would still provide enough friction to turn the prop at idle, correct?

 

[bruceb58]

Did you actually check the gear oil level?

Reason I ask is about half the time, people with your same issue are shocked when they find their gear oil low and the gears in the upper part of the drive worn down to little nubs.

 

[fatjr12]

I did not check it. Guess I should have.

 

[fatjr12]

Okay, Lubricant level is just fine. I'm thinking some type of internal drive failure.

 

[fatjr12]

Okay, finally got the boat out of the water and pulled the outdrive. I put it in gear and turn the shaft by hand and the prop does not turn. Only a little wiggle. Time to get another outdrive.