Why did my outboard fail?

[Peter J]

Can any one help?

I have a new RibX 575 with a 90HP Suzuki engine. I was on my 5th trip today, engine's done about 10 hours, taking it in for it's first service next week.

Crusing at about 20mph all of a sudden the engine made a noise like it was cavitating. I immediately revved down and it seems OK. I revved back up and cavitating noise again no forward power. Stopped, lifted engine, prop OK nothing on it.

Limped into a marina but I noticed on the way that at 3000rpm I was doing about 10mph - at 3000rpm it would normally do about 17-20mph.

Moored up. Called wife. Lift back to car and trailer, back to marina and recovered just before tide left the slipway dry.

Any idea what happened and what I should do now - as I said it is brand new.

[willowkis]

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles Peter. if I were you, I would take it straight back and ask for a replacement.

Good Luck


Kim

[Manos]

Is the engine new? If not check the bush on the prop.
I don't know how you call it but is made by strong black colour plastic it has a hole where the prop shaft goes through and holds the prop.
If this is the problem you need a new prop.
good luck

[tue]

Sounds like the bush in the prop is to blame. Get it checked out when the service is done

[Richard B]

Hi Peter - if it sounds like it's cavitating/ventilating, maybe it is!

Did you manage to get full speed after the incident? If not, it could be a slipping prop bushing. Have a look inside the "barrel" of the prop and see if there's any signs of rubber deposits like in the picture (the lumpy bits at the bottom were removed from inside the washer, but note the signs of melted rubber on the outside of the bushing).

HTH!

[Peter J]

Thanks for the replies.

As with many of these things it leads to more questions.

I took the prop off and had a look but I could see nothing like in Richard's photo but I didn't really know what I was looking at.

How could the bush fail on such a new engine? Is it something I would have done (as I said it was only my 5th trip am a right novice). Could I have have hit something?

Are you saying the bush is part of the prop and you have to replace the whole prop not just the bush.

[Manos]

If is a new prop/engine this should not have happened. Is the motor under warranty? If yes have the prop changed.
The bush (HEY!! found the wrod thanks to Richard and tue!! ) is part of the prop. I do not know if you can change just the bush, but even if you can because this part of the prop gets all the stresses etc I think you need a new prop to be on the safe side .

PS Richard is that concrete on the prop ?

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Peter J

Are you saying the bush is part of the prop and you have to replace the whole prop not just the bush.

Peter, no, you don't have to get the whole prop replaced! Suggest that you inspect the prop blades for damage. If no visible damage, get in touch with the dealer who sold the engine and get them to agree to either replace or repair the prop. If there's obvious damage, or if you can't get a repair/replacement from the dealer in time for your next excursion, take your prop to a reputable specialist like Propeller Revolutions in Poole (01202 671226) or Streamlined Propellers in Aldershot (01252 316412) http://www.streamlinedpropellers.co.uk.

Changing the bushing is a perfectly acceptable procedure as long as it's done by an expert.

Manos, what are you on about... concrete????

Peter, you've just learnt in the same way that I did, that it's a good idea to carry a spare prop, a floating wrench, and the thrust washer, split pin, and spacer if you want to be fully self sufficient at sea. All this kit will, of course, work on the umbrella principle that you will never need it if you carry it!

[Manos]

Richard was just joking I was commenting about the dirt (soil) on the bottom of the prop