Impeller frozen?

[Notallowedtodrive]

I think I have a critically ill 2003 Utopia with the M2 250 drive. Took it out on Tuesday, drove to an event, drove back to the dock to pick someone up and as we were leaving the basin, there was no forward or reverse propulsion. It was like weeds were in the grate. The engine rev'd, but no forward or reverse. We idled back in, pulled the boat, no weeds. Put it back in, still had no power, so I took it home. Reached in and tried to turn the impeller but it wouldn't move. Hooked up the flush and started up and impeller still did not move. Taking it to the mechanic on Tuesday, but dreading the diagnosis. There was no loss of power and no horrible sounds prior to this happening. Any ideas? Husband is out of town and I'm sure I'm in deep trouble.

Thanks!

 

[Dr Honda]

sounds like you lost the gears in the gear box. You generally won't hear any issues... the gears just fail. This is normally caused by water getting into the gear case, or using the wrong oils.

This is why changing the gear oil before putting it away for the winter. That way you know if there are any metal shavings or water leaks into the system.

or.... it could be the impeller nut came lose, and the splines got ripped out.


I guess if it was my boat... I would drain the case oil, and check for contamination first. if it's clean... then remove the nozzle, and check the impeller.

 

[Notallowedtodrive]

Thanks for the input Dr Honda. It doesn't sound good either way. Any idea what the $ damage will be if it's the gear box? I might as well ruin my weekend now...

 

[RiverPro]

drove to an event, drove back to the dock to pick someone up and as we were leaving the basin, there was no forward or reverse propulsion. It was like weeds were in the grate. The engine rev'd, but no forward or reverse. We idled back in, pulled the boat, no weeds. Put it back in, still had no power, so I took it home. Reached in and tried to turn the impeller but it wouldn't move. Hooked up the flush and started up and impeller still did not move. Taking it to the mechanic on Tuesday, but dreading the diagnosis. There was no loss of power and no horrible sounds prior to this happening.

If I might suggest another option...
Are you sure you were looking at the impeller and not the stator vanes? I don't think one could idle back in if the impeller was not spinning.

Maybe you'll get lucky and find something lodged in the impeller, or wrapped around the impeller shaft. Or better yet, what was there fell out on the ride home.

 

[Notallowedtodrive]

Riverpro, you are awesome. I was looking at the stator veins. Crawled underneath tonight and found a piece of driftwood lodged in the impeller. Wedged it out with a wrench but can't tell if I got it all. Probably still going to take it to the Dr and have oils changed and remove the grate to see if there are any additional pieces lodged in there. Whew! Maybe I'll be allowed to drive after all...

 

[Dr Honda]

If I might suggest another option...
Are you sure you were looking at the impeller and not the stator vanes? I don't think one could idle back in if the impeller was not spinning.

Maybe you'll get lucky and find something lodged in the impeller, or wrapped around the impeller shaft. Or better yet, what was there fell out on the ride home.

Good catch. I guess I assume too much.


I thought about the idling back thing... but thought it may have been just catching enough.

 

[RiverPro]

I am glad it was a simple fix, and with due respect to the poster, it is easy to see how the title "frozen impeller" would lead the good Doctor to the diagnosis for a frozen impeller.

We are all just trying to help.

 

[AirSniper]

Thanks RiverPro & Dr Honda, I was able to come home and take the boat out. I guess leaving the boat in the driveway while I was gone wasn't enough, next time I'll have to take the starter with me when I travel.

 

[rau_d1]

So what was the problem?