Spun hub or bad lower unit?

[adriancooke]

I have a 1999 200 hp Johnson Ocean runner, the engine runs great but when I put it in gear it sounds really harsh. The propeller only spins when the engine is tilted onto the boat just enough for the intake holes to be submerged, and when the prop does spin it is slow and does not produce any motion either reverse or forward. Before I removed the prop I put it in forward gear and it would not turn very easily by hand, removed the prop and noticed the bolt holding it on under the cotter pin and retaining washer was loose, looked at the prop but could not see anything wrong (I know the slightest mm off can cause probs). When I turned the engine on without the prop on the spline spun freely and reacted accordingly to power in forward and reverse. Replaced the prop and only tightened it snugly and tried again, nothing improved so looked at prop and tried to move it while in gear and it moved freely. Can anyone help me with this issue?

 

[ab1]

Re: Spun hub or bad lower unit?

Check your lu fluid for water and metal. If that's ok I'd look at the prop.

When you say you can spin the prop freely in gear, is it just the prop spinning, or is the prop shaft spinning with it. If just the prop, it's gotta be the hub. You can also take the prop off and smell the hub. A spun hub will smell distincly burnt in some cases.

A loose prop can cause problems also. Make sure it's torqued down correctly.

 

[adriancooke]

Re: Spun hub or bad lower unit?

I can not pull the plug yet because it is still in the water, I will have to be towed in order to pull the boat. Today I put a different prop on the motor and it is still doing the same thing, how much torque should be used when tightening the bolt? It turns a little bit when in reverse but nothing when in forward and it still does not seem like it is responding to rpm's. I am thinking it is a lower unit more and more, or loose cables or loose linkage in the engine where it attaches to the lower unit from the power head.when i turn the prop when its engaged forward it seems like its turning the whole shaft not just the prop. I am at a loss though, I do not want to have to take it somewhere like a mech right now because that costs an arm and a leg so if it is the lower unit I can pull it and replace it on my own its just the fact that its in the water still. What would make the prop turn while in reverse but not move or anything when in forward motion, could it be the gear control box at the helm? Thanks for your help

 

[junior1113]

Re: Spun hub or bad lower unit?

sounds like clutch dog in lower unit. need to ask the johnson guys. please move to proper forum.