Ran Through Sand/Muck - Outdrive Limited

Ben Levitt

Ben Levitt

Member
Jul 18, 2018
38
Crownsville, Maryland
Boat Info
2013 240 SunDeck
Engines
5.0 Mercrusier Bravo III
Ok, new boater so I guess this happens? We ran into some muck/sand - went from 12' to 2 then 1.6. Going about 15 mph. We easily got out however, here is what we are left with. 1) Trim will only go up to just under half / 10 on the digital display and 2) the dash speedometer no longer works. We got back to our pier, I didn't want to run fast because I didn't know what happened. Up to 18 mph (on the Garmin) we ran fine. Boat is in the water now so I can not see the out-drive. Given 1 and 2, what does anyone surmise happened and what should I do next? A neighbor will help me trailer it out of the water tomorrow to take a look - Feeling dumb, but no one got hurt and we're home (my wife's logic!)
 
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Speedometer probably stopped working because of mud in the pitot tube.

Is there a “trailer” function on the trim switch? That needs to be activated to raise the outdrive to the upper limits.
 
Yes to the two things above. You need to push the "up" button harder to get into the "tilt" range. HOWEVER, you should NEVER operate the drive while in the tilt range at anything other than idle speed or damage can be done. Even that is not really recommended.

Now, there is a possibility that whatever muck you got into somehow did some damage... if it was truly just soft stuff, this is not as likely - but anything is possible. Damage could be anywhere from the trim sensors/senders to the hydraulic rams/lines to significant physical damage to the drive. These drives are actually pretty darn robust, though - it would take something major to cause big damage.
 
Espos4 said:
Speedometer probably stopped working because of mud in the pitot tube.

Is there a “trailer” function on the trim switch? That needs to be activated to raise the outdrive to the upper limits.
Click to expand...

Yes I see the little boat on trailer symbol above the little up/down arrows. How do I activate that and when? Per Lazy Daze it must be pressed harder to activate and only under idle speed. I got that. To test by pressing harder, motor must be running and in neutral/idle - any other advice on that?
 
Lazy Daze said:
Yes to the two things above. You need to push the "up" button harder to get into the "tilt" range. HOWEVER, you should NEVER operate the drive while in the tilt range at anything other than idle speed or damage can be done. Even that is not really recommended.

Now, there is a possibility that whatever muck you got into somehow did some damage... if it was truly just soft stuff, this is not as likely - but anything is possible. Damage could be anywhere from the trim sensors/senders to the hydraulic rams/lines to significant physical damage to the drive. These drives are actually pretty darn robust, though - it would take something major to cause big damage.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I replied to Espos4 and referenced your post, too. It was soft stuff, least that is what I believe ;-). Right now, what I'd like to fu=igure out is how to get it in trailer mode while idling...
 
Just press and hold the trailer button and the drive should move up into the trailer mode.
 
If the trim for the drive is not working correctly (power up and down) below the trailer cut out position, then you may have other issues. Mercruiser has put check balls in their trim cylinder pistons and reliefs in the pump assembly to protect the drive from impacts. Just another thought.
 
It is best to not have the engine running when you hit the trailer button. The post above meant if it is running while in the trailer position to not go above idle but best is to have the engine shut off first.
 
boatman37 said:
It is best to not have the engine running when you hit the trailer button. The post above meant if it is running while in the trailer position to not go above idle but best is to have the engine shut off first.
Click to expand...
Yes. Just to clarify... Avoid going into the "tilt" range (harder press) when the engine is running. Pressing harder can engage "tilt" whether the engine is running or not running.

I don't know how much of this in your manual, but it would be a good idea to read through the entire thing, regardless. Good info there.
 
i couldn't wait until day break. Went out and powered on the electrical and sure enough upon pressing that button, the drive rose to the occasion! A big shout out to each of you!! (I'll try to unclog that speedo port next time I'm out of the water). Guess running it while clogged wont make it worse!
 
Lazy Daze said:
Yes. Just to clarify... Avoid going into the "tilt" range (harder press) when the engine is running. Pressing harder can engage "tilt" whether the engine is running or not running.

I don't know how much of this in your manual, but it would be a good idea to read through the entire thing, regardless. Good info there.
Click to expand...
Cheers!
 
Glad you figured it out!
 
You probably sucked mud up into the engine though and that could be blocking cooling passages. You may want to have a mechanic show you how to flush out the engine? I think there is a way to blow out the speedometer tube from the instrument end (not sure about that though).
 
Ben Levitt said:
i couldn't wait until day break. Went out and powered on the electrical and sure enough upon pressing that button, the drive rose to the occasion! A big shout out to each of you!! (I'll try to unclog that speedo port next time I'm out of the water). Guess running it while clogged wont make it worse!
Click to expand...
That's right... running while clogged will not make it worse. And actually it clean itself out if its just mud.

On the leading edge of the drive, just above the prop shaft area, you will find a small notch. This is where the pitot for the speedo is. Get yourself a 1/16" or 3/32" drill bit with one of those hex shanks on it. Get in the water and hand drill into the hole... you should see the mud/debris come out. Continue till clean.
 
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