Replacing engine coupler on 93 4.3 mercruiser.

[brodykirby]

Alright guys new to the forum and I have a question. I recently bought a 1993 Bayliner 2051 with a brand new engine (4.3 merCruiser. I've put 50 hours on it this summer with no problems besides getting both u-joints replaced, When the shop replaced them they said the alignment was perfect. Friday i was cruising up the lake at 40mph and went to trim up a bit and as soon as i did i lost all power. Thinking i was just cavatating i let off the throttle and trimmed down. throttled back up and still no power I could idle but faster than that it sounded like the boat was in neutral. I opened up the engine hatch and could smell the burnt rubber. I babied it back o the ramp at idle and towed the boat home. Once home i felt around the coupler and could feel grease and and rubber shreads. I question is what caused this? My alignment was good as of 3 months ago when the u-joints were replaced. I don't see any broken mounts nor did i hit anything.

Another question: The shop wants $1000 to replace it. Can i do it myself? I do all my own vehicle maintenance and have a hoist.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing engine coupler on 93 4.3 mercruiser.

Alright guys new to the forum and I have a question. I recently bought a 1993 Bayliner 2051 with a brand new engine (4.3 merCruiser. I've put 50 hours on it this summer with no problems besides getting both u-joints replaced, When the shop replaced them they said the alignment was perfect. Friday i was cruising up the lake at 40mph and went to trim up a bit and as soon as i did i lost all power. Thinking i was just cavatating i let off the throttle and trimmed down. throttled back up and still no power I could idle but faster than that it sounded like the boat was in neutral. I opened up the engine hatch and could smell the burnt rubber. I babied it back o the ramp at idle and towed the boat home. Once home i felt around the coupler and could feel grease and and rubber shreads. I question is what caused this? My alignment was good as of 3 months ago when the u-joints were replaced. I don't see any broken mounts nor did i hit anything.

Another question: The shop wants $1000 to replace it. Can i do it myself? I do all my own vehicle maintenance and have a hoist.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I'm gonna guess a Rotten transom,... musta sagged worse over the season,..

If yer Handy, Ya it ain't that bad a job,...
Ya just gotta get the motor out, 'n back in....

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing engine coupler on 93 4.3 mercruiser.

If your alignment was good 3 months ago, I would be looking for problems with the rear mounts, the stringers or transom could be rotten or even something as simple as one of the front mounts was loose and let the engine vibrated down over time.
You just have to check everything to find out what caused it.
Assume nothing check everything while you have it apart.

Can you do it? Have no idea what your skills and abilities are. Give it a try, if you can't you will know soon enough. Then just stop and send it to a shop.

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Replacing engine coupler on 93 4.3 mercruiser.

diy and get yourself an engine alignment bar here.pull drive off first
look here; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Driv..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item3f1b9a51bb&vxp=mtr

 

[brodykirby]

Re: Replacing engine coupler on 93 4.3 mercruiser.

I appreciate all the quick replies! Thank you all. I checked the transom and it seemed solid. I'll check the front mounts as well. I spoke with a local shop who said they will check/align the engine for free. So I should be able to get away withouth buying the alignment tool. I'm going to attempt to do it myself. Any special tricks? There seems to be enough room to work on the engine easily. What else should I look for while I have everything out?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing engine coupler on 93 4.3 mercruiser.

I appreciate all the quick replies! Thank you all. I checked the transom and it seemed solid. I'll check the front mounts as well. I spoke with a local shop who said they will check/align the engine for free. So I should be able to get away withouth buying the alignment tool. I'm going to attempt to do it myself. Any special tricks? There seems to be enough room to work on the engine easily. What else should I look for while I have everything out?

Ayuh,... Anything worn, or damaged,...

Check out the Adults Only section at the top of this forum,....

Lotsa Great info, yer gonna need....

 

[brodykirby]

Re: Replacing engine coupler on 93 4.3 mercruiser.

Thank you very much! I'll be back with plenty of questions!
Thanks again!