Bad day for me

[Bob G.]

Was out fishing today. Made a 25 mile run without any issues. Was running 60 mph or so. Worked my way way back down the lake fishing in a few places. Was on my way to fish another area and the motor lost RPM and sounded like crap. Had no alarms and shut the motor off. Trimmed up to check the prop to see if there was anything wrapped around on it, looked good. Started it one more time and shut it off when it was not running right. I was 9 miles from the ramp and called a tow service. Made it 3 miles on the trolling motor when the tow boat showed up. I wasn't sure if I would make it back against the wind before the trolling batteries would give up. Used a 50' rope that I use to launch to get the boat on the trailer.

Emptied everything out of the boat when I got home. Took off the cowling and found that that the air compressor pulley bolts were sheared off. I was able to turn the air compressor twice and felt ok. Didn't do any further troubleshooting. Checked codes with Diacom, only one neutral overspeed from 6 hours ago before today's issue happened. I don't remember when that happened. Maybe a hotfoot thing. Put it in the portable shelter for now.

Air Compressor Pulley.jpg

Air Compressor Broken Bolts.jpg

[apdriver]

Dang Bob, I hate that for you after you seemed to have all your issues resolved. Let us know where you go from here. That’s a large kick in the gonads!!!

[SilverFox579]

Sorry to read this Bob, hope the damage isn't too extensive.

[Bob G.]

Plan is to remove cowlings and look for the bolt heads. Not sure if the compressor is trashed yet or not. If I can’t find the bolt heads, I’ll remove the spark plugs and rotate the flywheel to check if the pistons go in and out smoothly.

Beyond that, I’ll start winterizing it short of running it after replacing the VST filter.

I’m not liking my motor at the moment. You would think an 18 year old motor would run without issues forever!

FYI, Tow was $980. I have towing on my insurance policy up to $1000. I paid the tow guy and my insurance company will pay me back. I emailed them the invoice yesterday. If you plan on going further than you can get back on the trolling motor, check your policy for towing.

[FeFanatic]

I'd say those bolts have been loose for a while. Even if the bolts were tight a complete compressor seizure wouldn't have caused that. I'm surprised you didn't hear any funny noises when it was running. Can you post a pic of the top of the pulley? If the bolt holes were elongated then it had been loose for awhile.

[Bob G.]

One of the pics has the pulley in it. Not working on it today, maybe tomorrow.

[wmitch2]

Those pully bolts had to be loose to do that. What's all that white stuff ? Do you run in salt water too ??

[Bob G.]

No salt water. I probably only take the flywheel cover off twice a year. Once for winterizing to turn the flywheel and once for installing the lower unit after replacing the impeller. Kind of like out of sight out of mind. Will add it to my list of stuff to check when the cover is off.

[JOE54]

do the holes in the pulley show signs of wear from bolts being loose

[DewRonInc]

Pictures dont show that loose

[DewRonInc]

Lots of corrosion

[EuropeanAM]

Make sure you use RED LIQUID LOCTITE when reassembling. We saw a lot of this back in the mid 2000's where "pre-applied paste threadlocker" was being relied on solely.

Locate all the pieces- inspect for any debris (good idea to check intake as well as the compressor head/reeds for debris), reassemble, check compressor, new belt, etc and see how she does.

Fixed a number of them with this back in the day, usually weren't too terrible. As long as all the junk stayed out of the "reserved for rotation internal passages" of the engine.

[Bob G.]

Thanks for the info Don.

I found five of the bolt heads pretty quick down in the bottom of the motor. My manual states that there was possibly only 5 bolts used on the compressor pulley but I found a pic of my motor from a few years ago and there was 6. I took the attenuator off and looked down with the throttle plate open, didn't see the other bolt head.

Not sure about taking the compressor apart to inspect the head/reeds. Looks like I need some o-rings for reassembly.

I haven't got the broken bolts removed from the compressor where the pulley attaches yet. I tried with a few tools but no luck yet. Is it a problem to remove the snap ring, remove the plate to work on removing the broken bolts?

Here is a better pic of the pulley.

Heading out of town in a few days until next week. I'll order some parts when I get back, belt, compressor o-rings.

Air compressor pulley holes.jpg

[Bob G.]

I found the 6th bolt head.

Buttoning it up for today until next week.

[EuropeanAM]

As you've found, there were six.

Be sure to check the flywheel cover for rubbing/shredding as well. Anything loose inside the cowling (especially light-weight debris) WILL end up in the engine (or worse yet, air compressor) eventually.

[Bob G.]

Will do Don.

Yay or nay on removing the compressor plate with the broken bolts to make it easier to get them out?

[Savage]

I would spray down the broken fasteners with Liquid Wrench and let them cook while you are away. The bolts should come out easy using a center punch or pick with light hammer taps to walk them out.

[Bob G.]

Thanks Savage, sounds like a good idea!

[EuropeanAM]

I'll do you one better. Get a nice pair of pincher-style cutters, grab the short stub that's standing up and screw them out. Never had too much trouble getting them out, as they usually broke because they were loose.

[Bob G.]

Thanks Don. I sprayed them with Liquid Wrench yesterday and will work on getting them out next week.

I don't have that style of cutters in my tool box but will have them now!! Can never have enough tools if you are a DIYer.