engine coupler

[Bryce2004]

What would be the symptoms of a bad mercruiser 3.0 engine coupler beides the burning smeel of rubber, also what would cause a coupler to go bad besides hitting bottom

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: engine coupler

Howdy,


Well, it's not always burning rubber.....For example, If you strip the inner splines in the coupler, there'll be no rubber burning or otherwise.

The main cause of a coupler failure is mis-alignment of the engine and the drive. THAT can be caused by rotten stringers, engine mounts or transom.

The main symptom is no-go. (You put it in gear, and the prop doesn't turn!)

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: engine coupler

add to the above, if your water pump is in the drive like an alpha drive than the engine will overheat because no water supply.

 

[Don S]

Re: engine coupler

Your best bet would be to state what kind of problems you are actually having. You would be surprised how many people have a problem of some kind and ask for symptoms of something, only to later find out their problem was actually something else.

Here is a picture of the two ways the coupler normally fails.
One thing to remember. If the coupler splines strip out, then the drive will not turn at all, and you will get an overheat. IF it fails like in the lower picture, the friction from the rubber will turn the upper gear in neutral, and you will not get an overheat. It's also possible the drive will work in fwd, or rev at low rpm if there is enough friction.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: engine coupler

Great pictures!

My most recent coupler failure was the upper example..........stripped splines.

I guess it should be expected. The coupler was nearly 40 years old (66 model Merc 150) and probably had more than 2000hrs on it over the 40 years (hr meter broke at 1500hrs in the mid 1980's. I sold it in 2006)

 

[bondomerchant]

Re: engine coupler

rotton transom can make a motor eat couplers like candy 2

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: engine coupler

Great pictures!

My most recent coupler failure was the upper example..........stripped splines.

I guess it should be expected. The coupler was nearly 40 years old (66 model Merc 150) and probably had more than 2000hrs on it over the 40 years (hr meter broke at 1500hrs in the mid 1980's. I sold it in 2006)

Yup, they last a long time when, cleaned, lubed, and aligned on a regular basis!