Ok, called the mechanic yesterday on my boat. He said that the lower unit had gotten water in it and it froze, pushing the bearing and seal out against the prop ( the prop spun freely), and that's what was causing the motor to bind up. HOW, it ran perfectly the week before ( March 1st thru the 5th), then it sat idle for a week, but during that week it did not get below freezing. So how could that happen? Am I missing something?

if the gears are not chewed up maybe just get the bearings and seals redone, got my 175 resealed last year and it was not too expensive for the security I got.

I think your mechanic may be incorrect. Get your boat to a certified dealership.

+1

I have some pics of exact thing...

a lower unit will run with just water in it for a while if you are not lucky in will sieze up the drive shaft bearing making you think the motor is locked up always good to ckeck the gearcase for water so this doesnt happen.

Although the prop spins freely doesn't mean the driveshaft bearings aren't shot and putting the motor in a bind. I see this quite often..... but, if the case froze at some point and pushed the seal wouldn't there be evidence of fluid on the ground???

Seen a lot of it this year because of extra cold winter.