Prop won't turn?

[castindad]

I have a 71 johnson 10 hp outboard motor that runs very well but the prop will not turn ? what in your opinion is the problem? shear pin? connecting rod? or what else? my son ran it in very heavy weeds? castindad

[Jeremy airjer W]

Castindad, As you can see I moved this to its own topic. Unfortunately, I don't know much about outboards yet (I know its hard to believe but its true ) I have only had my boat for less than a year. There are alot of talented knowledgeable people here and this problem will get the best replies as its own post, rather than getting lost in somebody elses. That and I'm curious to see what everyone else has to say myself

If Valv sees this or anybody else I'm sure they will point you in the right direction.

[Wishin2BFishin]

The lower unit may have sprung a leak and water got in the gears. Did you take the plug out to check the gear fluid? If so was the fluid clean or milky colored? If water got in then this could cost you some. You may have luck finding a used lower unit for that old of a motor.

Best of luck

[delmuts]

did you winterrize it this fall? no! ok, if it is being stored out side, take it inside some where it is warm.it could be caused by several things that i'm sure the guys will touch on ,but! i had that problem with a boat i bought in the late fall. turned out the seals had gone bad and the lower unit was full of ice.

[marine_man]

When you say prop will not turn I presume you mean that it won't turn when the engine is in gear and the motor's running, right? Not that it won't turn by hand...

Anwyay, everyone has brought up one possibility... water in the gear case that froze... if it's stored inside that probably isn't the problem (especially given the temps so far this winter).

Anyway, the next thing I'd check is the shear pin... take the cap and/or nut off and see if it's intact...

Start there and let us know what you find...

marine_man

[mamohr686]

Is it in neutral?

Some people put them in gear for towing

[Surface Tension]

Start out by checking the shear pin. If that looks OK then check to see if the shift rod coupler loose. There will be a rectangle plate with two screws midway on the drive housing. Behind that plate is a coupler with 2 bolts that connect the shift rod. Look to see if that the shift rods are connected.

Next use the shift lever and shift gears and look to see if the coupler is moving.

[Northlander]

Could it be the thrust washer is bad or gone or put on in the wrong order?

[castindad]

thanks to all of you will dig into it on monday and inform thanks again castindad

[castindad]

surface tension shear pin so far need test in water to continue thanks alot tho castindad