2002 mercury 225EFI outboard - The Hull Truth

blazeman2 · 03-04-2004, 04:31 PM

guys, I've had a problem for a few months with this outboard lost about 4 or 5 mph seem to have found the problem , the prop shaft is bent slightly and the prop runs like a corkscrew , trying to get some estimates know to get it fixed has anyone had one replaced should i have the whole lower unit redone or just get the shaft fixed ,changed the oil in it a couple of months ago and had no shavings or chips in it .

any help would be appricated thanx

Garett · 03-04-2004, 04:38 PM

So did you hit something?

If you have run this engine like this for a couple of months now, I'd be inclined to pull the lower unit and do an autopsy.

sundancekid · 03-04-2004, 05:41 PM

I would have that gear case torn down and investigated. Where is the bend? It could also be destroying the seals around the prop shaft so have it taken care of right away before the seals grenade and you have chocolate milk for gear oil.

Kid Stuff · 03-04-2004, 05:46 PM

If it is bent that badly and you have been runnung it at high RPM for any amount of time then the shaft bearing is probably shot. It does not pay to straighten the shaft ( if in fact it could be straightened)so replace it since the whole carrier has to come apart any way. What does the prop look like? There is something to be said for aluminum props as they will desruct instead of your shaft unlike a stainless wheel that transfers the shock to the shaft. it is not beyond a DIY job if you have some mechanical experience. If you didn't chip a tooth that is good. Maybe you bounced it hard on the bottom.

TheBoatGuy · 03-04-2004, 07:55 PM

Prop seals will eventually give way leading to water in the lower unit, leading to failure......been there done that. I will tell you this story and you guys will think I am crazy but......I ticked a stump and bent my prop shaft quite a bit(noticable vibration). I have a friend who is probably one of the most mechanically inclined people I have ever met. I took the boat to his shop, we removed the prop, he then slid a 10' long pipe over the prop shaft(you can see where this is going...) We put a dial indicator on my lower unit housing and rotated the shaft to find the high spot. We slowly and forcfully used the leverage of the pipe to bend the shaft, checked it, bent it, checked it, bent it. When we were done the shaft was straight to within .002 and thats about what the tolerance is new. I drove the boat for 12 more months with no problems. I am in no way recommending anyone else do this. The guy that did this is without question one of the smartest people I have ever met and one of those lucky people who can fix anything.(we all know one guy like that). If you have no water in your lower unit then your bearings may be ok but should be checked. Until they give up you're not likely to have sustained lower unit damage unless it occurred when the shaft was bent but that would have been indicated by excessive metal on the plug. Sounds like you need a new shaft, seals and bearings and you should be good to go.....TBG Good luck...

Mist-Rest · 03-04-2004, 08:10 PM

Sorry TBG,
As a former machinist (proto, T&D) I would never do that with anything I owned. Just to much stress on parts. Now if you took the shaft OUT of the housing to straighten it, that would be a different story. If "I" went that far, I wouldn't bother with the press I would have just replaced it if it were available.
No, I don't know it all. Never claimed to. Never will.

JALICHTY · 03-04-2004, 08:49 PM

Some time ago, I hit a submerged boulder in a lake around here and bent the stainless steel prop. I had a guy check out the shaft and he said it was within tolerances so I did nothing else, other than getting the prop straightened. About 4 years later we hit a barrel bouy anchor with the same prop, again with no apparent damage when I winterized. However, after running for another year, I noticed both water and shavings in the lower unit lube when I changed it out. Went to a mechanic, he pulled everything apart and, lo and behold, I had not only bent the shaft some more, but had also chipped a tooth in the reverse gear. This led to a complete rebuild of the lower unit to the tune of about $3,000. I would therefore suggest that you run down to your nearest good boat engine mechanic and have him give your lower unit a good once over to see how much you will need to invest in it.

blazeman2 · 03-04-2004, 11:21 PM

thanx for all the info, I have an appointment with a guy in this area through word of mouth has got a great reputation when I called him he said to not even start it again with out him looking at it bring it to him monday right know I'm stuck in vegas for work (terrible place isn't it) thanx again

Kid Stuff · 03-05-2004, 12:45 AM

I find it very hard to believe that you can slip a pipe over a prop shaft and get the bend out. Using a micrometer on a shaft that is still in the carrier is next to useless. The shaft must be placed in "V" blocks or a lathe to get an accurate reading and then a press is used to straighted it. a sleeve can be used to check for run out. Not worth the labor. Just buy a new shaft.