clanking sound in 1997 Mercury Offshore 150

[Ortdude]

went (tried) to go fishing this morning, temp was around 35 degrees, had to choke it and put it at a fast idle to start it, when I backed out of slip I heard a clanking sound from possibly the lower unit area, and the engine kept dying, when I got it out in the river I slowly increased the power, it seemed to have unusual vibration, then ther was a loud snap from the engine, I was able to idle back to the dock, I didn't dare apply any more power to it. when I got home I put the muffs on it, started it, put it in gear, and there is somthing clanking around in there, I spose I'll have to take off lower unit and take a look around, can anyone tell me how to remove it?It is a 1997 150 offshore merc.HELP

[Hooty]

Step 1. Get a repair manual.Click on "Manuals" above.g'luck & c/6Hooty

[rickdb1boat]

Step 2: Drop lower unit and find out what happened...

[AndyL]

Remove the drain plug from the bottom of the gearbox as it has a magnetic core. If you have had destruction in the unit there will be shards of metal attached to it. It may be depressing so leave it until after Xmas.Good luck.Andy

[boatman24]

from wat it sounds like...i think it may be sumthing even mor serious...if the clankin stills happens at idle...the problem may be that u broke a piston connecting rod...maybe..maybe not....its a possibility...

[Ortdude]

Well, I did step 1, I tried step 2, broke 2 sockets trying to remove trim tab bolt, swore a couple of times and took it to shop, christmas is over and I should get some taxes back this year, so I'm not as depressed as I could be, and it doesn't clank when in gear, thank god.There was some fine metal shards on the drain plug though.Thanks!