Outboard mechanics

[20gallonreefer]

Does anyone know any outboard engine mechanics? I hit a rock this morning in the channel. Nothing on the charts or gps. The SS prop is a little damaged and the boat won't go into reverse at all. It's in the water and I would like someone to take a look while it's in because I don't have a trailer. We just put it in and take it out with a forklift and I would have to pay the marina if it definitely needs to be taken out.

 

[jaa1456]

Yea, with a SS prop you blew out the gear. It most likely broke the teeth off or maybe something a little worse. I would bet all the damage stayed within the lower unit. I have hit underwater objects, like a nice 55 gallon drum and numerous other things over the years. Most of the time the objects are sitting 2' under water. What size boat and motor? On my smaller boats I ran aluminum props, so the prop would break and I could throw the spare on real quick.

 

[20gallonreefer]

It's a 2002 johnson 175 hp. I was quoted $1300 for an aftermarket lower unit installed. That's not including a prop repair or a new prop. I work with a licensed captain and he told me I should get aluminum because the blades break off if you hit something but SS is of higher quality and I like that, but I'll see. It wasn't even a bad hit. The only noticeable thing besides the no reverse is a little bend/chip on only 1 blade of the prop.

 

[edd]

were you in reverse when you hit the rock? if not i don't see how you broke reverse gear.
i would replace the prop with alum if you hit a rock something has to give and it won't be stainless, but you do gain performance with ss.

 

[20gallonreefer]

were you in reverse when you hit the rock? if not i don't see how you broke reverse gear.
i would replace the prop with alum if you hit a rock something has to give and it won't be stainless, but you do gain performance with ss.

I was in forward and I felt the rocks scrape the hull and then it was over. I zoomed home just incase and I was pulling into the dock I noticed it wouldn't go into reverse. It didn't sound or look like a hard hit. Just a skim. Even the skeg is fine just scratches along the bottom and only 1 blade on the prop is damaged but no one even wants to look at it without me bringing the boat to them and I don't have a trailer so I'm stuck with the marina service or if I could find someone that will come to my private dock.

 

[edd]

i would try playing around with the shift linkage before you buy a lower unit.

 

[20gallonreefer]

i would try playing around with the shift linkage before you buy a lower unit.

Where is that exactly? Under the upper unit engine cover or something? I know basic mechanics like to get it started but not all the slightly more advanced stuff.

 

[edd]

Where is that exactly? Under the upper unit engine cover or something? I know basic mechanics like to get it started but not all the slightly more advanced stuff.

under the engine cover, their should be 2 cables. one is the throttle, the other is the shifter.
i would disconnect it and shift it manually by hand. that will eliminate an adjustment problem.

when you own a boat you have to be handy or have a lot of money to pay a mechanic.

 

[20gallonreefer]

My dad and I are working in it now. Seems like it's not going into neutral immediately. You have to give it a little bit of reverse and back up to hit neutral.

 

[20gallonreefer]

My dad is more of a mechanic than I am and he was working on it with me yesterday and said too he thinks its the linkage. We tried adjusting it from the upper part of the outboard and even disconnected it and tried pushing it as far as it goes but it still won't engage in reverse and neutral is a little off of where it should be? Anything down in the lower unit that could be bent or something?

 

[jaa1456]

I go with SS on my boats now, but they are bigger boats and there is an advantage of running them. If you're in a smaller boat and in shallower water, I would go with Aluminum as well. I really don't think it's the linkage like Edd suggested, I've been through this a few times and it was always the lower unit and gears, never the linkage.

 

[edd]

I go with SS on my boats now, but they are bigger boats and there is an advantage of running them. If you're in a smaller boat and in shallower water, I would go with Aluminum as well. I really don't think it's the linkage like Edd suggested, I've been through this a few times and it was always the lower unit and gears, never the linkage.

yea sounds like the lower unit.