Motor Seized

mtsummer

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Jul 10, 2009
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13
I have an an 83 OMC. I put it in the water a couple of weeks ago and just parked it in my slip at marina. It is about 2 miles from the boat launch to the marina. After getting underway i thought i may have heard a squeal a couple of times like a pully sliping or something. Went ahead and and docked it then last Sunday boat fired up ok went out and went bout a mile and a half and heard the noise again backed off the throttle and the motor just cutoff. When i tried to started it iwouldnt hardley turn over. Ichecked the oil before I puti it in the water and it showed full, I know it was not level on the trailer when i checked it but thought that was ok. I checked it when it stopped and it wouldn't even show on the dipstick. I never heard any loud braking sounds from the motor or drive but I did get a whiff of gear oil when it quick. I read onhear somewhere that you can pull the drive away from the motor a little and see if the motor turns over. I have a Seloc manual i hope that it is in their on how to do this. I guess my question is do you think Im lucky enough that it could just be the bearing on the shaft to the motor from the drive?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Re: Motor Seized

your seloc manual is actually a sealoc knee pad.

please identify the outdrive you have and we can help you.

when was the last time the drive was serviced?
 

mtsummer

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Jul 10, 2009
Messages
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Re: Motor Seized

Sorry bout that. It is 83 5.7L OMC stringer motor not sure what series. I bought the boat in June of last year and was told it was just serviced. After reading on here I'm afraid when i changed the lower unit oil I made the mistake of filling it from the bottom skeg I didnt get my manuel til last week and i just seen where the dipstick was for the upper unit, although I'm pretty sure it said fill from the bottom. I'm keep ing my fingers crossed just because their was no bad braking sound or anything from the motor or drive when it stopped, that it may just be a bearing in the upper unit??
 

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: Motor Seized

yeah, fill from the bottom of the lower, then fill the upper from the bottom of the upper. They are two separate gearboxes with no fluid connection between.
And then the intermediate is also a separate, 3rd compartment.
Check fluids in all 3.
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Motor Seized

I have toasted my upper gear box on my old stringer. made a bad bearing screeching noise. was not a pretty site when I opened the case up.
 

mtsummer

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Re: Motor Seized

Yeah I wish i had known about the other 2 fluid checks, but like i sadi it was not run long and it never made bad noises except for the bearing noise so maybe it will not be too bad. If it is the upper unit can i get parts to fix it? Is it a repair i can do myself (not exactley myself i am not a very good mechanic but i have some bright freinds who are and willing to help)? Is there a better service manuel i can get?
 

LAC_STS

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Re: Motor Seized

The best service manual (and only one worth buying) is an OEM manual. It will pay for itself ten times over.
 

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: Motor Seized

If it is the upper unit can i get parts to fix it?

Is there a better service manuel i can get?

yes, parts are all still available (but if your upper seized, you're looking at about $2000 for parts and tooling to rebuild it) You want to diagnose it before trying to plan the fix.
outboardbooks.com is the publisher of the factory original (OEM) manuals.
 
Last edited:

southkogs

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Re: Motor Seized

... and if you can find a matching upper that works, you can just swap 'em too.
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Motor Seized

Yeah I wish i had known about the other 2 fluid checks, but like i sadi it was not run long and it never made bad noises except for the bearing noise so maybe it will not be too bad. If it is the upper unit can i get parts to fix it? Is it a repair i can do myself (not exactley myself i am not a very good mechanic but i have some bright freinds who are and willing to help)? Is there a better service manuel i can get?

I made it 400 yards when a bad water pump case swapped all the gear oil for water and destroyed everything in the upper. you went a mile and a half.

either way, take the half hour to pull the drive off, that will tell you if you have a drive issue or engine issue.
 

mtsummer

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Re: Motor Seized

Thanks to all. I am going to order an OEM manuel. I live in Charlotte NC and it is race time so it will be a couplle of weeks before i can get into this but i will post back an update once i do.
 

mtsummer

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Re: Motor Seized

One more thing, can anyone tell me what HP my motor is or is there somewhere on the motor that will tell me?
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Motor Seized

never mind. you mentioned 5.7. about 250hp
 
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