What is this? Help

[s.a.m]

Can someone tell me what this is? I found this today in between my upper and lower unit MerCruiser 3.0L Alpha 1 Gen II
when i removed my out drive to put away for the winter....It scared the crap out of me i hope its not something internal that melted off...its a piece of rubber on metal....Does anyone know what this is? Could this have been sucked up by the prop going in reverse? HELP!!!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: What is this? Help

It's part of the exhaust shutter that should be in the top of the exhaust tube.

 

[s.a.m]

Re: What is this? Help

Is this important? should i replace it? i tried to see where it would go, but i don't see it...... Thanks

 

[s.a.m]

Re: What is this? Help

Why did this happen?

 

[s.a.m]

Re: What is this? Help

OK...Did some research and will order one tomorrow..... I guess this is important!!! can someone tell me where it is located please.....i'm new to this replacement.....Thanks much appreciated

 

[mikethepike]

Re: What is this? Help

Is this important? should i replace it? i tried to see where it would go, but i don't see it...... Thanks

That exhaust flapper has a pin molded aroung the actual flapper. It is designed to keep water coming back into the exhaust when pressure from a wave forces up over the bellows and into the engine. The flapper closes and stops the water intrusion .

What will happen when is a term called hydra- locking the engine . It when water has entered the engine and the piston cant compress the water so you'll hear like a clunk, grind or it not cranking over where the starter is trying to compress the water in the cylinder. Yoru dipstick will be WAY above the full line as now you have water in the oil

Take the clamps apart , should be 4 or 6 and seperate, install new one's and use liquid hand soap to slide it back together, retighten

 

[s.a.m]

Re: What is this? Help

Is there another half to this piece? or could it be still attached inside the exhaust? Thanks mikethepike

 

[s.a.m]

Re: What is this? Help

Well i found what i was looking for on another post....I would have researched it before but i didn't know what it was called....Thanks for all your help guys....

 

[mikethepike]

Re: What is this? Help

I found it out the hard way. Good luck on your repair

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: What is this? Help

...Thanks for all your help guys....

Thanks for asking!

This is a textbook example of the reason why it is a good idea to pull the Outdrive for the winter.
Not as much as the O/D will not survive the winter on the boat, as much as it allows you to inspect the innards at least once a year.
If you had not pull the O/D you would never have known the exhaust shutters had fail until the engine was severely damaged.

You have easily saved yourself a $1000 by this simple act. KUDOS!

 

[s.a.m]

Re: What is this? Help

Thank You UncleWillie!!!! Luckily i have a spare SEI lower unit ready to go and now i can service this one over the winter, i need new seals ..