Gear problem-gctid803859

[mattysboat]

I was on my boat today, and all of a sudden I couldn't go in gear anymore, the boat was driving fine before that.

Now when I go in gear and throttle it's like there's no gear.

Does that mean that the gear needs replacement?

I also noticed when I put it back on the trailer and I started it that the engine is not sucking in the cooling water like it's supposed to.

Any thoughts?

[Pcpete]

How did you test the water intake to find out it wasn't drawing water in? My first reaction, until I read that part, was a broken sift cable. That would be relatively easy. It's a bit harder if there's a broken ujoint or shaft above the water pump You may need to start a search for that by dropping the lower unit, below the gear case.

Here's a link to some parts breakdowns. http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/1544.cfm I've had good experience with them, but I may be in a minority.

[mattysboat]

I didn't know it stopped drawing water until I got home and wanted to flush the salt out using hose and salt-off.

I connected the hose and started the boat, then realized that the water is not being sucked in. It usually sucks in and u see it like a water fall coming down, but it wasn't.

The water was just flooding from the hose and nothing else, so I turned the engine off right way.

What does it tell you?

I will look at the link you gave me

[Ruffryder]

Force 120 Outboard drawing posted above,

Says he has an L drive.

[mattysboat]

The L-drive is the exact same engine for outboards and inboard/outboard

[Ruffryder]

Yes the engine part

[Pcpete]

Ruff, it one of those half a title in the link things. When I get to the page the title includes the L drive and the transom plate is has a triangular shape to it. I really am trying to be thorough for him, a and anyone else.

Matty, where you had your ear muffs on the water pickups but no water was getting in indicates to me that the impeller isn't turning and is fact blocking the passage of water. I'm not sure how that system drops apart, but looking at the parts drawing I think I'd start by draining the gear lube, if, and only if, the vent is above the housing break, then un fasten the lower unit from the mid and see what drops out. Keep us posted.

[Chief_Alen]

Sounds like a part that isn't available anywhere at any price.

There was a guy down in FL with the only known parts used that existed.

Shaft maybe etc.

What to do, break down the drive see what it is .

[mattysboat]

I was just thinking the same, I wanna take the drain screw out and check for metal, if it looks normal then it's not gears.

If I see metal chunks then definitely gears.

[Chief_Alen]

The L drive was a bad design not long lived.

I truly wish to convey better news.

[mattysboat]

I discovered that later

[mattysboat]

After further inspection and diagnosis it looks like the gears are fine, when I engage the gear from the control box, the propeller is locking which means it is engaging.

Tomorrow I will be taking down the lower unit to check the shaft, my guess it's causing the problem

[Pcpete]

Well, so far so good, sorta.

[mattysboat]

So the shaft is broken.

I got all the lower out, and this is how it looks like.

Problem is the other half of the shaft is still stuck inside the head, is there a way to get it out without taking the head off?


Attached files

[Mr._Darcy]

If the part is not available, take it to a well equipped industrial machine shop. They would likely be able to put a new stub shaft on your yoke. I had things like that done in the past on heavy equipment and trucks. It will probably be expensive but less than the alternative.

As far as getting the other end of the part out of the engine, a cobalt drill bit will let you drill a hole in it. Then use a tapered punch and tap it gently into the hole. You should be able to get enough of a friction fit to wiggle out the broken off piece. It may take some patience but it can work, I have done it on other similar situations.

Greg