tips for a stubborn prop

SeanKent · 07 June 2014, 10:28

Hi

Anyone got any tips for a stubborn prop ?

I've removed the pin, nut and washer, given it a pull, nothing.

I have use a piece of wood and a hamer to give it a light tap, hoping to free it but its not even moved!

Any suggestions please ?

Hightower · 07 June 2014, 11:50

What grease did you put on the last time the prop was off?

Wouldn't use a mallet or hammer, you might damage the alloy gearbox. Try using a hub Puller.

SeanKent · 07 June 2014, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

What grease did you put on the last time the prop was off?

Wouldn't use a mallet or hammer, you might damage the alloy gearbox. Try using a hub Puller.

I've not long had it, tried getting it off a couple of times with no success, apparently it was serviced before I got it, though starting to think that can't be true !

I've wondered if I could just use some standard grease, been meaning to buy some marine, maybe I should leave it until I've brought the propper stuff ?

Things been nothing but problems, though minor ones

Landlockedpirate · 07 June 2014, 13:05

If you havent got a bearing puller, I once used a couple of woodwork C clamps to pull a prop off.

Milgrip · 07 June 2014, 13:20

If you don't have the proper tools, try pouring some very hot water onto the prop then try tapping off around the hub with a wooden block.

Boatnomad · 07 June 2014, 15:55

Yep,hot water can sometimes do the job,

Mercury · 07 June 2014, 16:21

Once it is off, make a habit of removing it at least once a season, and re grease it. Also remove the gear box and grease the drive shaft splines at the same time. I have seen the results of neglect and its not very nice, or cheap.

paintman · 07 June 2014, 18:35

See if you can borrow, hire - or buy - a puller that will fit.
If its that stuck I don't like hitting things as there is a risk of damaging things. Guess how I've learnt that over the years

Hightower · 07 June 2014, 22:41

Another gentle way to pull it off is to loop some rope around each of the blades creating a center pull. Then loop a ratchet strap through tension against an immovable object thus creating a constant and firm pull on the prop. Obviously you will have to brace the outboard leg from moving. Then gently tap a loosened propshaft nut and see if this shifts it. You can get someone to pour your boiling water over and see if that helps, you will need plenty of water!

Mollers · 07 June 2014, 22:43

Tell the twat that if he doesn't shape up, he'll be dropped next season. ;-)

Landlockedpirate · 07 June 2014, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Tell the twat that if he doesn't shape up, he'll be dropped next season. ;-)

SeanKent · 08 June 2014, 10:23

Thanks everyone

I took it down to whistable yesterday, thought I'd see if it goes after the new fuel pump and would try the prop another day.

It didn't go again !

Same oldchap on the beach lent a hand, thermostat is shot, the old chap said you can run them without ?

He told me that I need a new impeller and if I bring the outboard to him next week he'll show me how to fit it, give it a check over and remove the prop (he said best way is to lift the outboard by the prop and then hit the loosened nut and it's own weight will pull it off). He also told me that it looks like it low hours but just not been serviced, at all. Guess it shouldn't surprise me that the ebayer I bought it off had lied !

A1an · 08 June 2014, 17:24

Do not run it without a stat for any length of time, a cold engine dramatically increases wear.

Did it run at all? How does the old fella know that you need an impeller?

SeanKent · 09 June 2014, 06:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1an

Do not run it without a stat for any length of time, a cold engine dramatically increases wear.

Did it run at all? How does the old fella know that you need an impeller?

When I started it I had no tell tale, though had one earlier that day after fitting the new fuel pump and running it in a bucket. He took the thermastat out which is pretty gunked up but opens if you put it in some warm water. Poured some water in the hole and nothing came out lower down the leg. He then poured some coke down the hole and after a while it came out down the leg, he said that it was blocked up, made sense. We took it back to the water but still no tell tale. He said that it had probably done itself in as was blocked.

After having tested the thermastat in warm water, I wondered whether to clean that up by soaking in cola too ?

A1an · 09 June 2014, 07:20

As a rule when I get an engine of unknown history I usually replace water pump, fuel pump, filters, thermostat and plugs so I know what I'm playing with.

I wouldn't try and clean/bodge stuff, replace with new. For the few quid it costs its not worth the hassle IMO.

What engine is it?

I know some of the mariners and mercurys can be 10sec or so before they produce a telltale.

Hightower · 09 June 2014, 08:54

Tell tail probably got blocked up by the crap floating around the water ways after fiddling with the stat.

SeanKent · 09 June 2014, 09:36

it's a Yamaha 25D

Landlockedpirate · 09 June 2014, 09:59

Yam should pump water all the time.

Dont mess about with Coke (or vinegar), get some Rydlyme to flush the engine and clean the thermostat. As mentioned above you can run the motor without the stat but its not great for the performance especially in our cooler temperatures. Some engines dont work well with the stat removed, it can mess up the water flow and reduce cooling (the Yamaha 6/8c is like this).

Strimmer line is great for working your way round the cooling system. Great advice about basic service items above, I would also change the gearbox oil and gaskets at the same time.

Rydlyme Marine Descaler

SeanKent · 12 June 2014, 23:00

Bought a new stat, haven't managed to find the rydlym yet.

Lost heart with it a bit as just discovered baffles are shot in boat and reading here are not really repairable

Good old ebay !

Notice the guy I bought it off often sells boat bits, his name is rfadave, people should avoid him !

Landlockedpirate · 12 June 2014, 23:28

Sorry to hear about your troubles. As you are starting to realise, PVC boats have a finite life. Dont worry too much about the baffles, as long as the boat stays inflated its not the end of the world. The average life of a PVC boat seems to be between 10 and 15 years and its usually the failing glue that kills them off, yours has done quite a lot longer than average.

Rydlyme available through Seamark Nunn Rydlyme Marine Biodegradable Marine Descaler 1 Litre