Motor Cranks But No Power To Prop

[west_tn]

Obviously a Lower unit issue.

2007 Mercury 250 Pro XS Gen 1 Torque Master

I was fishing and went to head to a different spot. Got on plane and got up to 40 or so mph, and then lost power basically felt like the prop just fell off. Motor was still running after coming to a stop. I turned it off and trimmed it up to check the prop and everything appeared ok.

Cranked the motor back up and put it in forward. It shifted into forward like normal it felt like, but nothing happens. Tried to shift into reverse, and I believe it went into reverse, but it didn't shift to it like normal. A little harder and not a smooth shift, and may have not even fully went into reverse I'm not sure. But the same thing and forward, no power it's not turning the prop.

Back at home after a better inspection the lower unit appears fine. Prop spins free in neutral. Shift to forward and it will turn just a tiny bit and you can hear a bit up a "clunk."

Any ideas what I broke?

**Update**

I pulled the prop and went drain the oil only there was no oil. Drained a solo cup full of water and metal flakes. I had a dealer put in new seals, put in new impeller, and fresh gear oil on April 12th. I’ve took the boat out maybe 5 times since then.

[lpugh]

Check the hub and drain the gear oil for inspection, be sure shift linkage is working properly

[Bob G.]

For starters, I'd remove the prop and check the hub and prop shaft splines. For piece of mind, I'd also drain the lower unit fluid to see what it looks like if the hub and prop shaft looked ok.

[west_tn]

Check the hub and drain the gear oil for inspection.

It better look good since I just had new seals, impeller, and fresh gear oil change done a month ago.

But that is what I plan on checking as soon as I get a chance.

[HellaBass]

Sounds like it could be a spun prop hub

[Z518 Comanche]

Sounds like it could be a spun prop hub

+1

[west_tn]

Sounds like it could be a spun prop hub

It should still propel the boat at idle speed though if that were the case no?

[Bob G.]

I would have pulled the prop and had a look see before starting a thread here, but that's just me!

[bass.man65]

Sounds like it could be a spun prop hub

How do you spin a Merc solid hub? That hub has broken at the collar before but you can not spin a solid hub.

[EuropeanAM]

My guess is on a sheered driveshaft or pinion gear failure. Prop hub isn't impossible, but not very likely on this one.

[west_tn]

Update in the original post. Not good.

[Idaho Sandman]

Update in the original post. Not good.

Wow, that sucks. Since it’s been that long don’t think there can be any recourse. Maybe go in and talk to them in person.

[lpugh]

Update in the original post. Not good.

Talk to the dealer, if no external damage or line in the prop shaft seal, they might work with you in some way to reduce repair cost. If I had done this job and could not find a cause of recent damage beyond my control I would at least offer to repair it at cost since it has only been about 10 weeks. Some insurance policies do offer protection for this type of event, mine does as long as I can show proper maintenance has been performed. Just required to keep a log and receipts for service and parts since I perform all of my work myself