Water in lower end something broke. HELP

[faurot3]

Oh crap! Last trip of season and I think a seal broke. Oil looked good all year then I was on lake mich. And all of a sudden WHAM! I shut it down. Prop would spin when out of water but as soon as I put it down it won't push the boat. Very grindy sounding. Drained the oil brown tint instead of golden. No metal shavings any advice would help or am I screwed. Thx. 1986 Omc 2.5 L

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Water in lower end something broke. HELP

is it a stringer 400? mine had the water pump housing go south, pump the oil out and filled the drive with water. bearings dont like running in water. the oil should be frothy and pudding like if you have water in it. Brown vs Golden is just normal contaminants.

the fact that you have a "Very grindy sound" indicates something went awry

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Water in lower end something broke. HELP

More than likely you have stripped the water pump shaft in the upper. That would explain the prop turning out of the water bu just make 'grindy' sounds with a load on the prop. Separate the lower and upper and pull the pump and look at the splines on the male and female ends of the shaft. You will most likely have to replace the upper shaft and water pump shaft.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Water in lower end something broke. HELP

More than likely you have stripped the water pump shaft in the upper. That would explain the prop turning out of the water bu just make 'grindy' sounds with a load on the prop. Separate the lower and upper and pull the pump and look at the splines on the male and female ends of the shaft. You will most likely have to replace the upper shaft and water pump shaft.

forgot about the 2-piece shaft. good call. either way, the outdrive has to come apart