Intermitent Prop Engagement - 76 Johnson 20hp

[cjcocn]

Hello all<br /><br />I have a '76 20hp Johnson and I was out on the water yesterday when my outboard started acting up.<br /><br />I would attempt to put it into forward (or reverse) and the prop would not engage. The little nub that covers the bolt that holds the prop on would spin, but the prop itself would not turn.<br /><br />I tried shifting at higher and lower RPMs, but that did not help. I kept on trying to shift from neutral to forward and finally after about 10 or so tries it engaged the prop and I made my way home. This happened a couple of times as I was travelling through a lake that was choked up with weeds so I had to stop periodically and clear the weeds. When my motor would stall out during that time, I had issues with getting it to re-engage.<br /><br />Does this sound like a spun prop? I have done a search on this forum and that is what I came up with, but wanted to ask this specific question just in case any other suggestions came up.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[MCM]

Re: Intermitent Prop Engagement - 76 Johnson 20hp

Chris, have you pulled the prop, if not, do so and visualy inspect for damage, and yes it sounds like it may be spun.<br /><br />Good Luck,

 

[DJ]

Re: Intermitent Prop Engagement - 76 Johnson 20hp

Check your shift linkage by engaging it with the engine off. Shift it into forward, can you spin the prop? Same for reverse.<br /><br />If you can spin the prop, you may have a linkage issue.<br /><br />Let us know.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Intermitent Prop Engagement - 76 Johnson 20hp

When the prop cap spins but the prop doesn't, you have either a slipping hub within the prop or a sheared drive pin.<br /><br />Since the prop finally did catch, I'd susp[ect a sheared drive pin. Remove the prop cap and inspect the pin.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Intermitent Prop Engagement - 76 Johnson 20hp

And post your model number Chris....there was a 25 horse in 76' but not a 20. We can determine the year from the model number.