Outdrive failure while underway

I took a 23ft 1992 Maxum 5.7 Mercruiser out for a test drive for considering buying. We were running @ around 3200 rpm when we lost all drive. I thought the prop fell off! Motor revs fine but no forward or reverse. (prop is there!) Had to be towed back (big bummer). Supposedly there is just over 200 hours on this boat.

The problem is that we really like the boat and know that we will run into things like this, but I'm trying to figure out just how bad this could get.

What do you think it could be? Internal outdrive parts? Shift cable?

To go along with this story. We had the owner start it for us with ear muffs, but when we backed it into the lake it wouldn't start. I thought I flooded it. After some time I tried again, nothing. Pulled it off the ramp, tried it, BOOM, started right up. When back to the water, same thing, wouldn't start. Pulled it out of the water, started it, rolled it into the water, everything went fine. We ran it awhile then tried to turn it off and start while in water, it started fine from then on, weird!

Then under way we noticed the bilge running non-stop. After inspection out of the water the rubber hose, bellow, whatever it's called, for the exhaust was cracked and had several holes that show when unit is trimmed all the way up. We figured this was allowing too much water in when we trimmed up the motor while submerged. And maybe the extra water in the exhaust is why it wouldn't start at first. I don't know. Any opinions? Hope I haven't rambled on too long. Thanks!

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

First things first, if the bellows are cracked negotiate with the owner to have them replaced or you will have worse problems. You should not diagnose a problem on the water with cracked bellows.

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

wallydc2 said:

First things first, if the bellows are cracked negotiate with the owner to have them replaced or you will have worse problems. You should not diagnose a problem on the water with cracked bellows.

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Also have u joint and everything else in there inspected thoroughly. If it has been on the water in the past with a cracked bellows there could be more expensive problems that will be yours if you buy it in the conditon it is in know. Ask the seller if you can take it to a certified mechanic to see what exactly needs to be done, then negotiate from that point. If he says no, dont buy it.

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

DO NOT give the owner any money for this boat until you can have a professional mechanic look at it. Cracked boots and drives that die point to a boat that has not been properly cared for and you will spend as much on repairs as you are going to pay for the boat if you are not careful with the inspection. It sounds like the boat needs some work. I would take that into consideration when and if you decide to buy it. Also a survey is a must with a boat of this size. A few hundred bucks for a survey can save you thousands later.

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

I agree. That was news to us and it wasn't apparent very easily. We diagnosed that after we pulled it out. Any ideas on what has happened to cause us to lose any forward or reverse drive?

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I'm taking it to the mechanic tomorrow. The price will obviuosly be further affected. The owner has been very reasonable about it. He just needs to sell it. It is obvious that the boat has been neglected. Mostly it has just cooked in the AZ sun. The interior and engine look like brand new, so I think it is mostly a case of no maintenance. The price is a couple thousand under NADA because of the upholstery that got fried and oxidised paint. I'm prepared for the cost but am a little baffled at just what went wrong.

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

There could be a few things that would cause you to lose propulsion,

prop hub slipping (not too expensive and easily fixed)

coupler spun (expensive, pull engine)

gearing in outdrive stripped (expensive)

Have this boat gone over with a fine tooth comb before any money changes hands.....you could be looking at a couple of thousand to fix this problem....good luck

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in my opinion for the interior of the boat you need at least a new starter.The incoming water may has corrode it.For the outdrive some weeks ago i had a similar story when i left it out of oil.the result was .The horizontal and vertical gear melted(you can see them if you take out the top cap of the outdrive + two vertical bearings + two orizontal bearings.Total about 600$(only spare parts).And since you had broken bellows you need new gimbal bearing+crosses and it would be a good idea to put all this unit new (together with the yokes).So in general you may need about 1000-1300 $ for spare parts that may mean ? to have everything repaired by a mechanic.BUT DID YOU HAVE AT LEAST 4-5 MINUTES AT FULL SPEED TO CHECK IF THE TEMPERATURE DIDN'T RAISE UP???New manifolds and risers may meen another 1000$.I agree with the others to have it checked by an expert.

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

Thanks for all the good replies. Yes we actually had it on the water two different days. The first day for maybe 3 hours of on & off running, mostly checking everything out. It seems to do real well. Temp ran right where it should be. Batteries charged well. The only thing I noticed was a small drip coming from the port side exhaust where there's a rubber hose connecting the upper & lower. Loose hose clamp. The water level never came up to any alarming level, just enough to make the rear bilge run. But even then it wasn't but about 1" or 2" deep.

The second day we had it on the water for maybe 1/2 hour. Long enough to get to the other side of the lake, Murphy's Law. We were cruising around 30 to 35 mph and like I said, it just lost all power and we were sitting. We got towed back and loaded it up.

I'm looking for a good mechanic this morning in the Phoenix area, anybody know one? Thanks again!

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

Run as fast as you can.....Or you can purchase a complete new upper and lower for about 1200-1400 dollars........... SEI Sterndrives

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

I read your post twice just ot be sure I understood it regarding the exhaust bellows. The exhaust bellows has water in it all the time, a bad one will not let water into the boat. Some designs even have drain holes in them on the bottom to facilitate draining out of the water.

There are two bellows, the driveshaft bellows is higher than the exhaust bellows and is shorter but larger in diameter in order to fit over the driveshaft, this is the important one. It can let water in all the wrong places and must be 100% to avoid expensive problems, including water entering the drive and/or water entering the boat.

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

I think I'd just **** on the idea and find a turn key boat with some positive history if the price isn't slashed way down making it worthwhile. Marine parts, and service are rediculously expensive.

Re: Outdrive failure while underway

Marine parts, and service are rediculously expensive.

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Ayuh,.......... If You're not turning your own Wrenches,........

This boat will end up costing Way More than a Turn-key boat.........

Have you Priced any Upholstery work lately....??.......