I was running across the lake this morning and heard a bad noise and vibration coming from the engine. Pulled up and shut her down, and then restarted. The engine idles fine while in neutral, water pressure fine, RPMs, etc. But when I shift into reverse or forward the engine dies. The only other symptom I had right before this was what sounded like a vibration noise on the previous run across the lake. The engine is a 1997 Evinrude Intruder, and is on a 1997 TR-19.


Any thoughts on what this might be? Sounds like a gear box type of issue, but I know very little about this sort of thing.


Thanks for the help.


PF

Two simple checks,

Does the prop spin when boat is in gear.... can you turn the prop? Is prop loose on hub?

Open lower oil drain screw on lower unit near the "bullet" on the lower unit... open this a little and check fluid..... if milky water is in the lower unit..... if normal looking OK.

Check both of these out of the water. Do not start the engine or your impellor will be toast in about 5 seconds.

Boatman,

Been doing some research and it seems these engines have some powerpack issues. One other thing I have battling for a few months with the motor is it has a slight miss from 3500 to 4500 RPMs, but seems to settle out past that. Took it to the mechanic and using the muffs he could not duplicate the problem. Put in new plugs and it ran better for a while, but started doing it again.

I did spin the prop with the gear in neutral and it does turn, but not very freely. One thing I did notice was the gear shift would not go very far in the reverse direction, even though it would go all the way down in the forward position. Don't know if that is unusual when the motor is not running or not.

Haven't checked the lower unit oil, but I will try that later. I need to give myself some more room to get to that part of the motor better.

Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

When you check the lube open the top vent screw slowly because if there is gear damage it tids to build up pressure in case and it can be very messey if you open to fast but you need to check for after you bleed off any pressure open lower drain as Boatman1 said and check for chunks of metal if you can fell them you've got problems more than likely a tooth off pinion gear. OPTI

My money is on a shelled lower unit.
the clutch dog gear is in a bind and causing the engine to stall.... Happened to my Rude also..
Shoot me an email and I can give some insite on what it will take to fix it.


Chris

It certainly sounds like your lower unit is the problem. Have it checked out and call your insurance company.

Tommy Yetts
Rockwall Marine

Tommy Yates, noticed that you mentioned insurance company....... I have boat insurance thru STate Farm..... have never used it..... do they cover these types of damages to a motor? or should I switch insurance companies to someone who does?

Appreciate your feedback on this.

[img]http://www.wingsoverusa.com/fish1.bmp[/img]

Well I got the news from Tommy today. And all I can say is . Blew out the lower unit. He broke the news to me as gently as he could, but it still stings. But, like always the guys at Rockwall Marine are taking good care of me, and will have me back on the water by next weekend. Guess I am going to have to enter some of their tournaments and earn some of this money back.

Thanks for the quick turnaround Tommy, and all of the insight from everyone.