SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

[kellydee]

Replaced my Alpha 1 gen2 drive last year with an SE116.The original one was working fine but,since I was replacing the engine,I decided to replace the transom assembly and outdrive also as I enjoy offshore fishing the most and wanna be safe,reliable and ALIVE.Well,17 miles out this wknd,I lost forward gear.210 hrs on new motor and drive since last July-Aug.It just gives me a kind of grinding noise when trying to put it in forward,like it sounds if you put it in gear too slowly,gggggg.Reverse works fine.Haven't pulled it off yet was thinking I need to disconnect the cables inside and see if I can shift it manually(motor not running)and see if the prop still turns cc.Right now with it in gear,(shift lever on lower unit appears to be positioned straight forward)If I turn the prop cc with some force,it will force the lever over toward N and prop will turn.I can't even hold that lever in place by hand.I'm thinking my F gear has a sheared tooth.Any Idea why?Will laying on the throttle too hard on take-off do this?Dosen't seem right.I think these drives are rated for 300 hp.My new carbed 5.7 is only 250 or 260.Also think maybe I should install a shower since I often push it pretty hard.Not running it like a raped ape but,when fishing the ocean with swells,current and wind,sometimes working EVERYTHING pretty hard just to push along.It's like hole shot,continously.3500-4000 rpm and just won't get up.It's just the water though because i can go other directions ok.

 

[Bondo]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Ayuh,....

Have you checked the Oil in it,..??

 

[wca_tim]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Call SEI tomorrow!

3 year no fault warranty...

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Ayuh,....

Have you checked the Oil in it,..??

Sorry Bondo,my ISP keeps bumping me,then I can't get back on.Actually replied back but,got bumped as I submitted.

Just changed the oil 28 hrs ago and level is full.Will drain and pull in the AM,right after the call to SEI.Warranty is cool, but I'm still pissed.That dosen't give the money back I already spent on this trip to fish 1/2 day.Bought my son and his buddy Canadian licenses for 5 days($200 for ferry and licenses),and never made it to Can. water.Another $200 in fuel to get to Neah Bay and back(truck),+++.Wouldn't think I should have a prob like this with a new drive.That's why I have a new drive.

Have you heard of many probs with these ? Waaaay less than a new Merc or even rebuilding one.Maybe this is why.?Then again,I've known of guys to have probs with brand new Mercs too.
Since it's an SEI drive,Ithink I have to ship it to them to fix.They're in FL and I WA.**** moan,**** moan.

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Call SEI tomorrow!

3 year no fault warranty...

They open at o730.Ironicly,that's 1 minute befor my call!Maybe they will be good enough to send me a new one right away rather than making me wait ??? during our rather short season for a fix.We'll see,at 0731.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

I feel your pain. Last 2 times out on my boat i had to get towed in.

Adjusting the cable didn't help or you didn't try?

Pull the drain plug alot of shavings?

 

[Robj]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

You say your original drive was working fine but you just decided to replace it. Talk to SEI, get the ball rolling, put the old drive back on and you can catch the evening ferry to your fishing grounds.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Lotsa shavings in the oil and smells burnt and it's black.Only 28 hours on the oil.Thinking I need to add a shower.Thoughts?
Also am wondering if that metal would have traveled to my upper?210 hrs on it now and don't want that to be next.Any suggestions from the pros?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Don't do anything to void the warranty. What they say when you called them.

Throw on the other drive. You said nothing wrong with it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Have you heard of many probs with these ?

Nope,.... I Haven't......

And,..I Agree, throw the old 1 on,+ Go Fishin'......

You'll have a Brand New SEI next season.....

If you're doing fairly Long runs,.... A Shower would be a Wise Investment....

 

[Don S]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Also am wondering if that metal would have traveled to my upper?210 hrs on it now and don't want that to be next.Any suggestions from the pros?

I would bet money there is. The upper and lower shares the same oil. I sure as ell wouldn't put a new lower on without a complete dissasembly and inspection of the upper.

With 210 hours on the engine (and assuming the drive) did the other oil changes (100 hour intervals or yearly whichever comes first) have black burned oil? With 210 hours, I would say you may be a candidate for a drive shower, especially if those hours are on plane. If trolling or no wake speed with the drive in the water, it will cool that way.

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Let me start by saying sorry again as I walked away again without changing the page,so it looks like I'm online, but I was gone.
OK ,here I go again.SOB!Pulled the drive,not just the lower.That last bit of oil that came out of the upper,kinda like mettalic paint as it dribbled out when I seperated the halves.
Then ther's the stuff in the bellows.Looks kinda like oil,just a little thicker.
THEN,there's the f'n exhaust flapper lying just behind the shift shaft.What the hell?Once again,It's all new.Exhaust came with the motor(bobtail).Why would that flapper fall off?I mean,I know 210 hrs is not new anymore but hell,a guy should be able to get from one season to the next without everything falling apart shouldn't he?
Then ther's the white crap around where the shift cable is.It's like white grease with granules in it,salt I'm assuming.Water intrusion?don't see signs around the gasket so probably the boot on the cable?Again,Brand new transom assembly.
Don,yes,the other oil changes did have black,burnt smelling oil.Most of those hours ARE on plane(or trying to get that way with tough water).I fish offshore a lot and destinations are frequently 1-2 hrs under way.
Today I had the motor running with the cover open,could here a valve/lifter tapping.

It's time to pull the engine again isn't it? I'm feelin kinda raped.Everything new,LOTS OF $ and each thing failing.

 

[Don S]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

1996 Bayliner Cierra Express 2452 2007 Merc 5.7

There is your problem. That is a lot of boat for an Alpha I, even a Gen II.
You are pushing the very limits of the Alpha drive, and passing it.
It might be good for 300 hp, but pushing a big boat (1996 Bayliner Cierra Express 2452) with an Alpha is fine on normal short trips or an occasional long trip. But you do it a LOT. The drive shower may help, but you need a bigger drive. Now, Bayliner puts Bravo drives on the 24's. Personally, the best running 2452 I have seen had a 5.7 TBI Volvo with a DP-S outdrive. He likes to play in the ocean and does lots of 2-4 hour cruises on plane.

On to your engine, is it fresh water cooled, are the manifolds FWC also? IF so, do you have an engine mounted raw water pump, and if you do, does the drive pump still get used.

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

There is your problem. That is a lot of boat for an Alpha I, even a Gen II.
You are pushing the very limits of the Alpha drive, and passing it.
It might be good for 300 hp, but pushing a big boat (1996 Bayliner Cierra Express 2452) with an Alpha is fine on normal short trips or an occasional long trip. But you do it a LOT. The drive shower may help, but you need a bigger drive. Now, Bayliner puts Bravo drives on the 24's. Personally, the best running 2452 I have seen had a 5.7 TBI Volvo with a DP-S outdrive. He likes to play in the ocean and does lots of 2-4 hour cruises on plane.

On to your engine, is it fresh water cooled, are the manifolds FWC also? IF so, do you have an engine mounted raw water pump, and if you do, does the drive pump still get used.

Yes ,yes,yes and yes still uses pump in the drive but hose is cut at transom assembly.

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

A different drive means a different transom assembly too,right?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

My 2 cents. Not enough mojo. You needed a double setup. If it were me, sell it after you get it running right.

Twin outboards 250-300 hp. Or 7.4l the smallest on a 26 footer running the way you do. With a bravo III. You need a twin setup.

I run 1/2 hour or 1 hour tops in the bay here in NJ. I run 2/3 power also very rare WOT.

Like i posted my 2 cents.

 

[Robj]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

What type of lube are you running? Synthetic would be my choice, especially under those conditions.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

My 2 cents. Not enough mojo. You needed a double setup. If it were me, sell it after you get it running right.

That dosen't sound good.Sounds probably right though.I'm a fishing fool and I like the big water.
It's a 23 footer though not 26.Model is 2452 but listed on title as a 23'
Sounds like my boat is perfect for LOCAL fishing on Puget Sound but not really enough for what I like to do.Personally ,too much boat for local "fishing"as I'm not a "cruiser",I'm a fisherman.I like it for 3-5 day trips cause I stay on the boat.

Would love to sell it and get maybe like a North River 24-26' but that's a lotta dough.Unfortunately I sunk waaaay too much in it as I was unaware of it's overall inadequasies.

I bought this in 05 for $23k(dumbass)plus $2k tax
Immediatly put kicker,bracket,controls $4k & radar(due to close call in fog)$1100
2006,motor goes down due to saltwater ingestion.Hindsight,think it was having symptoms but I was "boat dumb"
2007,New motor,transom assembly,outdrive,steering assembly,trim pump,bilge pump$12,000(did all work myself with help from the guys here)THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!
2007 Bad a__ Lowrance system w/some NEMA 2000 and all wiring etc...$3000
2007 trailer brakes,bearings hubs $1000
2008 trailer tires $500

Now then,that's all the main stuff,not all the small stuff(nuts,bolts screws,connectors.............
What can I get out of a 96 Bayliner Cierra express 2452?
MEGA loss I think.

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Now on to the wife,they should all be like this.

Not only does she not give me a hard time about all the fishing but I told her how much a new NR is($85k)without all the goodies(downriggers,kicker,electronics....)she says"I think you should sell your motorcycle(03 Heritage softail ALL chromed out,5000 mi)cause you never ride it,sell that boatand get yourself a new boat,thats what you love to do.So what,you have to have payments again".I HATE PAYMENTS ! One more reason to hang on to her.Actually,I'm 42 and we've been together since I was 19,I can't count that high,you do the math

 

[kellydee]

Re: SE116 Drive.Forward gear gone

Just talked to SEI again.Sending the entire drive in for repair,dismantle and clean/inspect upper(repair if needed).
I pay shipping there 2-3 days in-house and they pay shipping back to me.

Guess I jumped too quickly on the pulling engine thing.Should be able to fix the exhaust flappers on the boat.Initial thought was I had to get the exhaust pipe out.Not sure if I can do without pulling risers though.That'll be $80 in gaskets.Gonna try to get merc to cover those.It's been a little over 1 year but,the boat did sit for about 7 months last winter.Sounds fair to me.I COULD be a little bias but.....