Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

[SaltyG8or]

Hi, first timer here. I was wondering if someone could help me troubleshoot my Suzuki df225.

Yesterday engine was running great the whole day until I was heading home... cruising at about 4500 RPM there was a sudden "pop noise" and jerk from the engine, where after about 5-10 seconds it died.

Inspection and experimenting with the throttle and controls revealed that while the engine would start up and rev, it would not shift into gear. What's strange is that when the engine is off, it seems the gears engage when shifting the throttle up because the prop locks. When the throttle is in neutral the prop spins freely.

Also, when the engine is revved, it sounds like there is some slight "cyclical grinding" noise coming from the lower unit. Sounds sort of as if you put a pencil into a running fan.

Has anyone ever had similar problems? Please, any insight would go a long way in saving me time and money. Even if it's just a link.

Thanks in advance,

-Cameron

 

[mommicked]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

Sounds like a broken driveshaft

 

[SaltyG8or]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

Driveshaft... I'll assume that is neither a cheap or easy fix. How would I confirm that this is indeed the case? Could it possibly be something else, even if a longshot?

Thanks for the tip.

-Cameron

 

[mommicked]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

Im confused,are you saying you cant shift it while the engine is running?but can w it off?

 

[SaltyG8or]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

Sorry for the confusion, no, what I meant was that if I give the boat forward or reverse throttle while it is on, the engine revs but the prop doesn't spin despite the fact that when throttled while the engine is off, the prop locks up.

Essentially, it seems like the gear engages while the engine is not running, but this does not translate to any rotation when throttled with the engine on.

Does that clear it up at all?

 

[99yam40]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

I can not think of a reason the motor would die if you sheared a drive shaft,
but I have seen a lower unit lock up and stop a motor before and then it would start back up after it had cooled off.

Does not cost much to check your lower unit oil to see what it looks like and then maybe drop the lower unit off to see if you can see or feel anything strange.

Would not hurt to pull the prop off and inspect it and the lower unit behind the prop as I have found pieces of pistons down there to big to flow through the prop hub.

Let us know what you find

 

[mommicked]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

By "died" do you mean the motor quit running,or you stopped forward progress/prop not spinning w the motor running in gear?

 

[SaltyG8or]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

More specifically what happened right before failure, it revved real loud then I pulled back the throttle and it died, motor quit running.

 

[SaltyG8or]

Re: Problem with LU Gears? Control Box? Linkages?

Thanks yam, yeah I figured it would be inevitable that I would have to drop the lower unit and take a look. I was just hoping maybe I could go in with some plan rather than aiming blind. I'll take a look sometime later this week and report back on findings.