Had to get towed in...

matt4704

matt4704

New Member
Jun 18, 2010
103
St. Petersburg, FL
Boat Info
Sundancer 270
Engines
7.4 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drive
Out today in the bay and was cruising when I noticed at full throttle my boat would not exceed 3100 rpms...As I was trying to figure out what was going on I heard what sounded like a clunking noise and then the boat had no power. The engine was running but there was still a clunking noise..Could not get her to go in forward or reverse...Oil pressure was good, Temp was good..No smell of anything burning..No visbile leaks in the engine compartment...Oil full..also drive oil full...

Im im no way mechanical, but it seems like it is something to do with the drive...I had to be towed in by my dad with his Trawler :smt013...and hopefully a mechanic will be able to firgure it out Monday...

Anyone have any idea what happened, or has had it happened to them??:huh:
 
I want to say between the engine and lower unit...Continued to make the noise with the engine running, but I had no power...
 
You can google marine universal joints or try this link for an idea about the parts.
http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page242.html#783

As for the labor either the motor or out drive must come out. Which ever is easier to pull depends on how they are situated in the boat. Others who have done this may contribute. Please take they're advise.
 
matt4704 said:
Big money fix??
Click to expand...

Not really, if its the U joints.

If its the coupler the motor has to come out.

But, lets not get ahead of it just yet..let a MX look at it..

Good Luck,
 
I don't know. Blown universals or coupler wouldn't prevent the engine from turning rated RPM. I think more likely the opposite, the engine would overspeed until it hit the rev limiter and threw an alarm. Interesting puzzle, but insufficient information.
 
Ya, the engine will now fully "rev" up...Prior to losing propulsion the engine sounded fine, but could'nt go over around 3200 rpm's...Now when the engine revs I hear what sounds like a clunking sound towards the rear....When I engage in gear the motor dies..

I would like to add that I recently purchased this boat, which had been sitting under tarps on land for the last 2 yrs...Tune up was done, and I had spent the night on her the night before, so this was the second day back in the water...I checked the drive oil and it is dark..No milky look to it...
 
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If you engage the gear and it kills the engine then it sounds like something in the out drive beyond the gimble. What do you think fc3?
 
Must be in the drive. Lower unit most likely. Also, you may have some issues with the upper too then. Take a long hard look at the universal joints, gimbal, and coupler while its out.

I purchased a remanufatured unit once, loved it! Came with a 18 month warranty.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Good luck!!!!
 
Our last boat had a similar situation and it turned into the gears in the outdrive which required getting it rebuilt.

When it happened it sounded like metal popcorn going off in the bilge. Engine ran fine with occasional funny sounds but no forward or reverse.

We got towed in three times with that boat. Each for things that I am not sure we could have prevented:huh:

Decision after three: TWO ENGINES!

Good Luck!!
 
Bravos have cone clutches, like Volvo drives now that Volvo's patent is expired. The clutch is after the upper gears, if I remember correctly. So most likely you have bad clutches, bad intermediate shaft and or bearings, or a blown lower unit. I would think the lower unit's gears are blown. The drive has to come off and apart, IMHO.

Best regards,
Frank
 
1 hr use of motor and im in this jam...Pretty bummed...Thought I paid for the survey/sea trail to keep me from this type of situation...
 
Drain the drive fluid. My bet is it will be pretty "sparkly". Bravo's aren't that complicated, but the parts can be expensive depending on what is damaged.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.... Boating is not for the feint of heart.
 
Might be covered under your insurance. I had fishing line that some idiot fisherdope threw overboard wrap around the prop of my previous boat's Alpha. It cut the prop shaft seal, water got in and displaced the lube causing the bearings to seize and twist the drive housing. Since I had all of my maintenance records showing that the drive and engine were regularly serviced at intervals better then the manual required, insurance paid for most of the repairs.

Best regards,
Frank
 
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