I didn't know how else to word the topic..
(Firstly let me explain that I am very mechanically inclined and have done a lot of major DIY work on autos/etc and have a lot of tools, but this is just the third summer of owning an I/O boat so I'm still in a newbie learning curve here.... I hope my question doesn't sound too basic/stupid but we've all gotta begin learning somewhere. I bought a used DA that is now 14 yrs old so I expect some maintenance issues to come up and that's okay.)
I went out for the first splash/shakedown cruise of the year yesterday in prep for the Charleston cruise this weekend. Early last year, once or twice I experienced what I can only describe as a sensation very similar to a slipping clutch in an auto.... the engine would start revving up but the prop speed wouldn't and it felt like there was a loss of power to the prop. I'd back off power a tad then it would re-grab and that would be the end of it. Yesterday this happened once again.
I thought there was a direct mechanical/geared link between the engine and the outdrive; now I wonder if there's some sort of viscous coupling or clutch between the engine and the outdrive. I don't know how else what I think I feel happening those couple of times could happen otherwise.... (unless maybe a slipping prop hub or something)?
Do I have a problem/is this normal, or am I on the last legs of a coupling/clutch that may wear out sometime soon, or is it something as simple as a prop hub? If this IS a problem what tips and tricks will help me diagnose the true source of it and local the exact problem - to find out if its at the engine, or outdrive, or prop, etc.
Lastly, depending on the problem (if it is indeed a problem), is this DIY type stuff or send-it-to-the-dealer type of problem? I helped a guy regear my outdrive last year after the gears grenaded in it and after noticing all of the special tools and junk needed I figured out that outdrive work is something I'll never be doing DIY.
Thanks for any input and help.
(Firstly let me explain that I am very mechanically inclined and have done a lot of major DIY work on autos/etc and have a lot of tools, but this is just the third summer of owning an I/O boat so I'm still in a newbie learning curve here.... I hope my question doesn't sound too basic/stupid but we've all gotta begin learning somewhere. I bought a used DA that is now 14 yrs old so I expect some maintenance issues to come up and that's okay.)
I went out for the first splash/shakedown cruise of the year yesterday in prep for the Charleston cruise this weekend. Early last year, once or twice I experienced what I can only describe as a sensation very similar to a slipping clutch in an auto.... the engine would start revving up but the prop speed wouldn't and it felt like there was a loss of power to the prop. I'd back off power a tad then it would re-grab and that would be the end of it. Yesterday this happened once again.
I thought there was a direct mechanical/geared link between the engine and the outdrive; now I wonder if there's some sort of viscous coupling or clutch between the engine and the outdrive. I don't know how else what I think I feel happening those couple of times could happen otherwise.... (unless maybe a slipping prop hub or something)?
Do I have a problem/is this normal, or am I on the last legs of a coupling/clutch that may wear out sometime soon, or is it something as simple as a prop hub? If this IS a problem what tips and tricks will help me diagnose the true source of it and local the exact problem - to find out if its at the engine, or outdrive, or prop, etc.
Lastly, depending on the problem (if it is indeed a problem), is this DIY type stuff or send-it-to-the-dealer type of problem? I helped a guy regear my outdrive last year after the gears grenaded in it and after noticing all of the special tools and junk needed I figured out that outdrive work is something I'll never be doing DIY.
Thanks for any input and help.