Engine dies on launching!

rajjes

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Yesterday I finally launched the boat after a couple of years in the hard during which I fitted an overhauled Kubota 2 cyl engine. I had started the engine several times on shore without any trouble (without engaging gear). Upon launching I started the engine, and tested engaging gear which worked ok apart from a sort of rumbling noise. After this, I left the engine on neutral, however the engine died a few minutes later. I now cannot start the engine and it is very hard to turn. With new batteries it barely turns, whereas before it used to spin smoothly. Obviously this very much longed for day turned out to be a dismal affair, with a tow required for the mooring ;(

At the moment I have 2 theories of what could have happened:
1. Something horrible happened in the gearbox (could this be even if the engine died in neutral?)
2 The engine seized due to lack of oil as I started up on an inclined slipway. I’m not too sure of this as the slipway is not steep and the oil pressure alarm did not switch on.

What approach would you recommend to drill down the problem, any other ideas what could have happened?
 
I had similar turning-over problems when the anti-syphon loop failed and water was ingested into the engine through the exhaust manifold. Could also happen if the head gasket has gone. Check the oil for water to eliminate these possible causes!
 
Sounds very much like the gearbox has seized. Engine drives the box at all times not just when the clutches for ahead or astern are engaged. You will have to separate gearbox from the engine (or vice versa whichever is easier) to check.

I don't know your gearbox but, if there is a removable top cover, you might just be able to see something gone awry inside without removing it first.

It is unlikely that the engine would seize without warning of any kind.
 
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I started up on an inclined slipway.
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What did you use for cooling?

I Dont know this model of engine so maybe its a silly question.
 
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