Drive works till you throtle up

[BLH 41]

I have a 1984 Sunbird with a 3L OMC stern drive <br />I was pulling tubers across the lake when the blasted thing felt like I shifted into neutral. I can motor around the lake but when I give the throttle she sputters and then goes into neutral. <br />I know absolutely nothing about boats only that they float -- sometimes. That's another story. Any suggestions where to start would be appreciated.

 

[driftwood47]

Re: Drive works till you throtle up

BLH,<br />Check your prop by either trying to rotate it against the gears (Engine off, of course) and while in gear, or marking a line on the prop hub to se if the prop is slipping. If so, you probably have spun the prop hub. (A rubber mount that can slip to protect the drive unit) If spun, take the prop to a prop shop to have it re-hubbed-around $50 bucks. It is probably not really going into neutral,just seems that way when the engine seems to go wide open with no drive.

 

[Trevor]

Re: Drive works till you throtle up

whwen this happens is there a chattering noise?<br />if not then you more than likley spun the hub in you r prop

 

[BLH 41]

Re: Drive works till you throtle up

Thanks Driftwood 47 and Trevor<br /><br />I tried turning the prop ( with the motor off )<br />and I could turn the engine over, but I didn't mesure the play . I might take the prop off and see what that looks like. Thanks again. BLH 41

 

[Trevor]

Re: Drive works till you throtle up

DONT TURN OVER THE MOTOR JUST SEE IF YOU CAN TURN THE PROP AD SEE IF THE PROP TURNS BUT THE SHAFT DOES NOT (THIS WILL TELL YOU IF THE HUB IS SPUN)

 

[BLH 41]

Re: Drive works till you throtle up

Trevor <br /><br />I tried the prop and there is no play in it. I even pull the prop off and the splines look and feel good. Is there anything inside the lower unit that shifts or is there a clutch behind the motor? It seems to be reel soft going into gear. Is there any adjustments to the shifting linkage? I know I'm grasping.

 

[driftwood47]

Re: Drive works till you throtle up

BLH'<br />As far as I know there is no clutch or anything like it in the drive train. The only possible slippage can come from the rubber prop hub. Try marking a line on the hub collar and the drive to see if the prop has slipped. If you have a spare prop (You should have a spare anyhow) change props and see if that doesn't fix the problem. I had the same problem a couple of months ago. Good luck.