Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

[dustedwatts]

K, this is wierd... I have a 1976 seaswirl, mercruiser 120, We were out fishing, cruisin around, boat was running great, on our way back, cruising speed, about 15 or so minutes at cruising speed, The engine made a wierd noise, sounded like a dog getting hit hard, AAARRRFF with a little squeel at the end.... Engine died... (threw us all forward in boat, and we all said what the *&^%^ was that)... We checked the engine out, oil was up, temp was about 130, so i tried to start... starter just clunk clunk, So we floated back to camp, loaded boat, after on trailer i tried again, with small hesitation, the engine fired up, (started to crank right away turned over about 8 times before fire) ran great, of course only ran for about 3 or 4 seconds(out of water),,,

any ideas what may have happened?
were to start?
I really don't want to paddle back to bank again cause that SUCKS!!

OH!! let me list what has been done to the engine,
new plugs, wires, fuel filter, oil and filter, gimbal bearing, engine coupler, bellows.

In advance thanks for any help...

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Have you checked the drive lube? Sounds like upper gear failure maybe.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Did you happen to hit a submerged log, stump, rock, or other debris? Check the prop and lower unit carefully.

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Did you happen to hit a submerged log, stump, rock, or other debris? Check the prop and lower unit carefully.

I was wondering that, there was a ton of debris in water (pole position w/ boat) didn't see anything, but that doesn't mean it wasn't submurged,,,
unfortunatly my prop had a few dings in it before this trip, so not sure if i have a new one... gonna put ears on it tonight and run if for a few see if it sounds ok...

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

new findings...
1-few new scratches in prop.
2-about 1/8 cup water in gear lube
3- pulled top cover for drive shaft housing-looked clean and nice(no worries here)

what else should i check? other than fix water leak.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Sounds like the drive to me. Start it on muffs to see if it does it again. If it does, take the drive off and start i that way supplying water to the engine and see if it dies.

Had the drive off lately?

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Sounds like the drive to me. Start it on muffs to see if it does it again. If it does, take the drive off and start i that way supplying water to the engine and see if it dies.

Had the drive off lately?

yea drive was off to replace gimbal/ coupler.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Probably need to pull it again to make sure there is no water in the bellows. If there is water in the bellows, it can get into the drive from that direction. Was the drive oil milky?

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

YUP milky!! yuk!!! the u-joint bellows, and shift bellows look GREAT! the exhaust bellows needs replaced starting to crack a little...(from what i understand that is ok sort of.) maybe that little o-ring on the upper unit dislodged a little when i put it on. going to run it tonight w/ muffs see if it happens again... then take it down to find water leak (i hope i find the source anyway) will keep ya posted....


thanks for all the replies...

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Probably need to pull it again to make sure there is no water in the bellows. If there is water in the bellows, it can get into the drive from that direction. Was the drive oil milky?

New findings--- I started w/ muffs tried to place in forward gear, only clicks--its out of adjustment. adjusted a little, now reverse clicks... (didn't have time to adjust some more)

re-inspected u-joint bellows-- low and behold found a crack ( a bad one)
dang just replaced all three last summer must have go bad stock (gonna buy from iboats)

gonna pull drive off soon double check insides..

one question-- will i need to replace u-joints and gimbal again where water intruded?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

one question-- will i need to replace u-joints and gimbal again where water intruded?

Depends on how long the water was in there but very probably.

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Depends on how long the water was in there but very probably.

... well I ran it maybe 3 hours after replacement.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

... well I ran it maybe 3 hours after replacement.

You could have run it for 5 minutes but if the water has been in there 6 months, then its the 6 months that is the critical time.

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

You could have run it for 5 minutes but if the water has been in there 6 months, then its the 6 months that is the critical time.

oh good, I am not going to have time to pull drive till this weekend. I replaced gimbal just two weeks ago, all was good then, so i think i have a good chance its all ok...


thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Personally, I go with OEM bellows. I don't trust the Sierra or other brands when it comes to bellows. Its just too critical.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Personally, I go with OEM bellows. I don't trust the Sierra or other brands when it comes to bellows. Its just to critical.

Nothing wrong with Sierra bellows, have installed lots of them with no probs,and,more importantly, no comebacks.

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

UPDATE!! Finally had time to pull outdrive down. pulled bottom unit, inspected looked good did vacuum test, passed no leak! YEA!!!

Pulled upper unit, started inspection, found oil seal for upper drive shaft was bad, missing part of lip. I turned drive shaft for engine, OH NO, only turned about half turn, pulled cover off, upper bearing looked clean and good, however there is a ton of play side to side on the upper drive shaft, BAD BAD BAD, i think lower bearing is TOAST!

I dont have the right tool to tear down, so will send it off to get fixed (the right way) Will post what they find....

Thanks all for all the replies, hints, and, suggestions..

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Well haven't got the upper unit rebuilt yet, however did put a used unit on, oh WOW what a dif! those bearings were going out for awhile, the noise is so much less we can talk normal at full speed, and still hear eachother,,,, so much fun, I also changed prop from 17 to 19 gained some top end and still maintaines hole shot, will be using gps for speed soon, and buying a new tach, thanks all for all your imputs,,,
oh! I am also going to be buying specialty tools, to rebuild my upper, and lower units....

YIPPEE, boating is fun again!!!

 

[dustedwatts]

Re: Weird engine noise then total engine stall..

Well its been awhile, but finally got the upper unit tore down...



This is the driven gear lower bearing.

the rest were little wore, but not bad, (replacing all)

How do i get the inner race off of the driven gear shaft?