Jump to content

Loss of power


RichM

Featured Posts

Afternoon,

Yesterday I noticed a loss of power on my boat. I had to use significantly more revs to get the boat to turn 90 degrees even though there were virtually no winds. It seemed to be engaging forward and reverse gears OK and the engine sounds/revs OK but there's an evident lack of power even when cruising along. Suspecting a fouled prop, I opened the weed hatch only to find the prop to be 100% free of any debris but after inspecting the blades, I noticed one is slightly bent with a 1/2 inch cut in it. Problem is I am not sure how long it has been like that and although it shouldn't be like that, I don't know if it may be a red herring in regards to the loss of power.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

RichM

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bent props usually manifest themselves as a vibration. 

If you have a hydraulic gearbox,  have you checked the oil level recently?  They tend to slip when low on oil, which may explain your problem.

Edited by cuthound
Phat Phingers
  • Greenie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, Stilllearning said:

What gearbox does the boat have? If mechanical is clutch slippage possible?

 

9 minutes ago, cuthound said:

Bent props usually manifest themselves as a vibration. 

If you have a hydraulic gearbox,  have you checked the oil level recently?  They tend to slip when low on oil, which may explain your problem.

Thanks both. The gearbox is a PRM 150 and the oil was changed only last month. The boat has been out 2/3 times since the oil was changed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, RichM said:

 

Thanks both. The gearbox is a PRM 150 and the oil was changed only last month. The boat has been out 2/3 times since the oil was changed.

The gearbox could have developed a leak though, since you last changed the oil.

  • Greenie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, cuthound said:

The gearbox could have developed a leak though, since you last changed the oil.

If you have a gearbox oil drain pump, check the tube fittings for leaks especially where it connects at the gearbox drain hole underneath.  Also the 150 is prone to leaking oil from the oil pump securing bolts which have little copper washers under the heads. The pump is the round thing sticking out the back of the box next to the output propshaft shaft coupling. The bolts usually get a touch slack as the copper washers squash over time, try tightening them a touch.    But of course check the level oil first.

  • Greenie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, bizzard said:

If you have a gearbox oil drain pump, check the tube fittings for leaks especially where it connects at the gearbox drain hole underneath.  Also the 150 is prone to leaking oil from the oil pump securing bolts which have little copper washers under the heads. The pump is the round thing sticking out the back of the box next to the output propshaft shaft coupling. The bolts usually get a touch slack as the copper washers squash over time, try tightening them a touch.    But of course check the level oil first.

I just put my hand under the gearbox and on the starboard side, it feels wet. It is also a little wet underneath/murky but it has never been the driest of bilges. I imagine this is the likely suspect? 

18 minutes ago, Bee said:

Just have a look at the shaft as you rev up, if it whizzes round then there can't be a lot wrong, if it doesn't then something is slipping,

It whizzes round absolutely fine in forward and reverse gear. Gave it some welly too.

1 hour ago, Stilllearning said:

OK! So my next thought is, when you checked the prop, did you check the rudder to see if there's anything on it?

Had another look, admittedly I did not give the rudder a thorough check initially but it's free of debris. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.