Evinrude OceanPro gearcase issues

[Guest]

Was out the other day on my Hiliner CC, 98 OceanPro 200 was stompin a groove down river at about 3800 rpm. All of the sudden, the engine started making a intemittent "clunk" sopund, then it resumed running smoothly. it acted as if I hit something, but I know I didn't. aAfter about 30 seconds, It did it again, as if the lower unit was tring to lock up, but it was moving to fast to stop.

I throttled back off plane, and the motor ran smoothly. I got back on plane at 3100 rpm and it ran smothly with no issues. going beyond that, and the "clunk". comes back.

I ran the boat a little longer, staying under 3100, and it ran beautfully with no issue. Got it home, and tried to open the gearcase plugs, no dice, I'm waiting on an impact driver, so I don't jimmie up the slotted screw head.

I'm hoping I can save this gearcase, it may have water in it, but the prop turns very smoothly with no noises or resistance when turnd by hand.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

I had a 1960's Johnson big twin 40 in high school that did this same thing, it eventually locked up the gearcase and rung the driveshaft off in the lower unit. Needless to say, I had to replace the lower unit on that motor.

My O-Pro is not there yet, but I may be looking at an SEI replacement lower (yeah, I've heard good and bad about those, but 2 grand for an OEM is a little rich) if this turns out for the worst.

 

[dingbat]

Sounds exactly like the issue I had on my first 200 Ocean Pro.

Running along and out of nowhere, a single clunk then back to normal. Would have bet money on a lower unit issue. The clutch dog was a bit worn so I replaced them. Next time out, same issue.

Took a mechanic with me the next time. He sat back at the motor waiting for it to happen. He said it sounded like a miss.
Sure enough. Narrowed down to a problem with the flywheel.

Never found the problem with the flywheel but a second hand flywheel fixed the problem.

 

[w2much]

And I too have had the same issue. Same story as Dingbat but without the happy ending. I pretty much knew it was either the forward gear ,the clutch dog , or bad adjustment. I purchased a parts motor switched the lower units, problem gone. Parts motor was reasonably priced then sold and am still selling parts off of it. So maybe I do have a happy ending. Your clutch dog is shot.

 

[Guest]

Thats interesting , Dingbat, that the flywheel was your culprit, I'm not so sure about that on my engine though, what year was your O-Pro? There were some flywhell magnet issues on some models prioir to 1997.

W2, I've been told by many on various Evinrude blogs (including Evinrude's own E-Nation) that its the forward gear and clutch dog is worn. I ran the motor all summer with the Rebel Prop I put on last spring, but thats a big wheel and it might have taxed the already worn clutch dog and fwd gear to go out to lunch. I'm looking at replacement Lower units and/or rebuilding mine right now. I love my engine, its clean and runs great, and i want to keep it.

 

[dingbat]

Thats interesting , Dingbat, that the flywheel was your culprit, I'm not so sure about that on my engine though, what year was your O-Pro? There were some flywhell magnet issues on some models prioir to 1997.

W2, I've been told by many on various Evinrude blogs (including Evinrude's own E-Nation) that its the forward gear and clutch dog is worn. I ran the motor all summer with the Rebel Prop I put on last spring, but thats a big wheel and it might have taxed the already worn clutch dog and fwd gear to go out to lunch. I'm looking at replacement Lower units and/or rebuilding mine right now. I love my engine, its clean and runs great, and i want to keep it.

Mine is a 1997. Magnets where confirmed to be in the right place.

I suspect it had something to do with the key way. Looked a bit "nicked" up. Cleaned up and installed new key. Nut to proper torque.... no go

I would check the shift cable adjustment before you tear into the LU apart.

I hear about the Rebel prop. Been running the 4 blade version (Offshore Renegade) for sometime now. Swapped it out for a 3 blade Inertia prop which weighs roughly half as much this Spring. Traded the clunks, bangs and bumps for better performance and prop rattle.....oh well

 

[Guest]

Checking the throw on the shift cable sounds like a good idea. I noticed wgen shifting into reverse, I get some gear chatter like its not quite engagaing solidly. , which means in might no be solidy engagaed in forward either! Thanks Dingbat!