2001 50hp 2stroke prop won't turn

[savage99]

Hello,
I was running my 2001 50hp 2 stoke yesterday at full trottle, running great all day, then motor stumbled and died.
Tried starting, acted like it was starved of gas, primed bulb, felt soft, checked tank, empty, ok, put line onto new tank, primed, started, sumbled for about 15, 20 seconds, idle back to normal, puut in gear, motor reved, would not turn prop forward or reverse.
Shut off motor, pulled kill switch, raised motor out, with in neutral, prop spins freely by hand, put in forward, prop will not turn either way by hand, put in reverse, prop will not turn either way by hand, put in neutral, prop turns freely by hand.
So, any ideas ?
Thanks in advance

[Joe Reeves]

You state that the prop would not rotate when put into gear... then in the very next sentence you say:

" raised motor out, with in neutral, prop spins, put in forward, prop will not turn either way, put in reverse, prop will not turn either way, put in neutral, prop turns freely."

Initially by chance... were you using a control setup whereas the shift can be bypassed so that one can apply throttle only when desired?

Running out of gas would have nothing to do with the shifting mechanism.

[savage99]

Boat is a 2001 Lowe tz17 bass boat with console steering and OMC "I think" shift lever on the side.
I used the shift lever to put in and out of gear.
I have not had anything apart at this time.
I did flush the motor after we got it home, motor not a problem, runs great, even tried to see if prop would turn when flushing, put in gear, motor revs, no prop turn?
Shut it down after flushing, and still, prop will nott turn when in gear, but turns free when in neutral ?
Thanks

[Joe Reeves]

Too bad you don't live next door. That's one engine I'd really like to see.

NOte that to shift, either the engine must be running OR one must spin the prop to have the shift lobes engage properly.

Do this... Remove the hood (Engine NOT Running). Spin the prop with your foot and have someone slowly put the engine into gear via the console control while you closely observe the engine's shift linkage. According to your explanation, the engine goes into gear and you cannot turn the propeller any further. Is this correct?

Now, with the engine running, again put the engine into gear BUT snap it into gear so as not to damage the edges of the shift lobes while you once again observe the shift linkages at the engine. According to your explanation, although the prop perhaps is now spinning due to internal friction, it can easily be stopped with a soft piece of wood? Is this correct?

What do you see different between the two tests?

[savage99]

OK
Please re read 1st post, I may not have stated it clearly.
Did the test, turning prop by hand, putting it in f then n the r then n, again prop spins freely by hand in neutral, then does not turn either direction when in f or r, I could feel the prop "going into gear".
Started motor with flusher running motor put in f, prop would not spin with 2x4 pushing it, went back to n, prop would spin with 2x4 pushing, put in r, prop would not spin with 2x4 pushing it, back to n prop would spin freely.
There was no abnormal noise like gears grinding ect, when we did this fyi.
Watching the linkage, the linkage did not seem to move as much with motor running, vs when motor not running, ?
?
Thanks again

[Joe Reeves]

Frankly.... That's one hellava weird problem.

Do this.... Disconnect the shift linkage from the engine. With the engine running, shift the engine manually via the shift linkage directly at the engine by hand. Did it shift normally... OR... does the problem still exist?

If it shifted properly, one could only a$$ume that the Problem is with the console control. Let us know what you find.

A question here: In your last post, you state: "Started motor with flusher running motor put in f, prop would not spin with 2x4 pushing it, went back to n, prop would spin with 2x4 pushing, put in r, prop would not spin with 2x4 pushing it, back to n prop would spin freely.

Are you saying here that with the engine running and when in either gear, the prop doesn't move BUT you cannot move the propeller either? I'm obviously having a problem understanding your explanation.

[savage99]

Yes, when motor is running the propeller does NOT spin, nor can I make it spin when I push it with a 2x4, then, with motor still running but in neutral, the propeller does not move, but I CAN push it easily with the 2x4.
I will have to do the linkage test tommorrow, I will post what happens.

Thanks

[Joe Reeves]

I'm in west central Florida, near Tampa. Where are you located generally?

[savage99]

Did not get the test done today,
will try to get it done in the next few days.
FYI
I am in eastern Iowa,
Thanks

[savage99]

ok
removed the shift linkage and problem is the same.
I drained the lower unit , oil is cheap, and there is slivers on the magnet, more than the usual grit, and I changed the lower unit this spring, and there was not any unusual amount of grit, so I assume the next step is to inspect the gear set, and drive shaft.
Can I inspect any of this from the prop shaft end of things, or do I need to remove the lower unit ?
Thanks

[savage99]

Also,
If I have to remove the lower unit, the manual states to disconnect shift rod screw, protruding from engine cover by exhaust manifold.
Where exactly is this ?
I looked around by the shft linkage, then its opposite side, but I cannot see any shift rod, let alone any screw on one ?
Thanks

[savage99]

Update,
Dropped lower unit, opened her up, gear on lower drive shaft in pieces, drive shaft splines where lower gear runs on, are now a bunch of shavings.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Rebuild on the way.
Thanks Joe for the help

[Joe Reeves]

Unless the design has changed since 1991...............

On the engine, you can remove the propeller, the prop carriage housing, the large snap rings, and the reverse gear.

That'll allow you to see quite a lot. To go further than that, you'll need to remove the driveshaft which necessitates the removal of the lower unit.