My Prop Doesnt Spin

[kingkhan]

I have a 88 johnson outboard, that when i power up to fast the prop feels like it disengages and theres a rooster tail and the prop stops spinning, but if i power up slowly it doesnt happen sometimes, i dont think its my lower unit, but this is my first boat, and dont really know much about these engines, i have changed my lower unit oil, which smelled like swamp water and kinda milky. i was just laid off, and hoping its not too much to repair. please help. any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: My Prop Doesnt Spin

First of all you have water in your lower unit. Make sure you have new gaskets on the drain and vent plugs. If they are good you need to re-seal your L/U. The prop is acting like that because you have spun the hub. It needs to be reworked by a prop shop.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: My Prop Doesnt Spin

I personally think you likely have a spun hub and a prop rehub should take care of it. What horsepower is your motor, By the way? You can check for a spun hub by scribing across the shaft and prop hub and seeing if they match up still after you get it to foul up as you describe. If it's not a spun hub, it could be cavitation. Tell the experts here what kind of setup you have as far as type of boat, motor, how far your cavitation plate is below your boat, whether the cavitation plate is parellel to the hull, etc.
The last and worst problem would be a bad clutch dog/gears but I don't believe that's your problem based on your description.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[Eshaw150]

Re: My Prop Doesnt Spin

i agree it sounds to me also like a spun hub

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: My Prop Doesnt Spin

you can check by marking you prop, then take it for a spin, if the line has moved you have a spun prop, prop shop can repair, will be just like new.

 

[5150abf]

Re: My Prop Doesnt Spin

Root around on Ebay, if you spend enough time you can get a prop for way cheap.

Sorry to hear about your employment status, hope things improve there, I build boats for a living so I am waiting for the hammer to drop on me.

I have never spun a prop, ripped the blades off them though, btu from what I have read hear I agree that is your problem.

Really watch your lower oil, you can't get a lower cheap anywhere.

If you can't swing a seal kit right now at least check the oil regularly and change it when it gets bad.

 

[Mas]

Re: My Prop Doesnt Spin

If you're getting a "rooster tail," how is the boat balanced (fore/aft) and/or how is the motor trimmed? Sounds like the prop is coming out of the water!

MAS