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Mercruiser - Strange Issue

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by 84far, Jun 28, 2013.

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  1. 84far, Jun 28, 2013
    #1
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Hi everyone.

    While I wait on the mechanic, thought I would ask on here as well.

    Basically, my brother was heading out the other day on our Bertram. It has twin Mercruiser 165hp 1988 (Original motors/drives). He got out to Huybers beacon (10mins out of the harbour) when the starboard motor lost drive, felt like they hit something, but pretty sure he didn't. The revs went up a lot, but was quickly brought under control.

    My first thought was the bush went, but we had a quick look the other night and it seems to be fine (we think), we put the motor in and out of gear and turned the prop, and it felt like there was still friction (gears connected), and was the same as the port prop.

    Any thoughts, on where to look or check...? Thanks everyone, cheers

    Far
  2. 84far, Jun 28, 2013
    #2
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    We also checked the gear cable on the motors, they also seemed to be fine. Cheers

    Far
  3. Fishtigua, Jun 28, 2013
    #3
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    A UJ fork yolk may have let go on the spider. I've seen them punch out of the top of older drives.
  4. 84far, Jun 29, 2013
    #4
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Thanks Fish, will this show signs of breakage, cause at the moment we can't really see any signs of anything broken (no filings/grease/oil out of place).

    I was going to remove the leg and inspect further, I'm just not a grease monkey :rolleyes:

    Far
  5. NorCalBoater, Jun 29, 2013
    #5
    NorCalBoater

    NorCalBoater New Member

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    Sounds to me like you spun a hub on the prop. Hard to tell trying to turn by hand. I would take the prop to a shop.
  6. K1W1, Jun 29, 2013
    #6
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Put it in gear, if you can turn one side when in gear by turning the prop there is something wrong with either the prop bush or the gearbox itself.
  7. 84far, Jun 30, 2013
    #7
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Thanks guys, I'll go and have another look tonight. It is pissing down here with rain and might have to swim to the dry dock. :eek:

    K1W1, I think my brother tried that trick, but I'll double check. Cheers

    Far
  8. 84far, Jul 2, 2013
    #8
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Update -

    Well I put both motors in gear -

    Starboard prop - was a tight turn for a quarter rotation, then would free up.

    Port prop (Same) - was a tight turn for a quarter rotation, then would free up.

    Both would have the same characteristics.


    Put both motors in neutral.

    Starboard Prop - Would be a constant rotation - felt loose/free.

    Port Prop - As before - was a tight turn for a quarter rotation, then would free up.

    Thoughts...?

    Far