fouled prop - Any damage?

[jimh]

well, with all the talk of fouled props, managed to do it yesterday - with my own rope !! not going to go into how, too embarrassing but took me an hour in the water to cut it free, one peice was jammed solid between the anode and the prop. Question is, have I done any damage to the drive? seals, bearings etc? before I realised I was fouled and the engine kept dying as I was trying to engage gear, I saw some oil on the surface - may have been coincidence. Boat seemed to perform ok today (top speed ok, temp ok and no vibration) ???

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[hlb]

How do we know if you have done any damage?? Cant see how it would cause oil to come out though. Or if it did then I think you would have known about it.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[DavidP]

Hi

Some fifteen years ago I borrowed a friends 30 something Princess for a weeks holiday. On the 3rd day heading out of Poole one of the engines stopped and wouldn't start so limped back to Cobbs. I rang and told him what happened and assumed I had done something wrong, after it was lifted out and on further inspection , it turnd out the owner had picked up some rope a few weeks before and damaged a seal and slowly the oil was replaced with sea water until one of the legs seized when I had it , Whether this is in anyway similar to you I have no idea.

Dave.

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[DavidJ]

My guess is that you have got away with it. Very bad luck if somehow it has damaged a seal. Just keep an eye on it for any more incidences of oil (a small amount makes itself very obvious).
Fingers crossed
David

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[Duncan_Hamble]

Ropes can damage the prop shaft output seals - might be worth getting the boat lifted to check the oil condition. - Many marinas doing special offer lift and holds at the moment for about £70.

Also, if you suffered a big overload this could have distorted the shear collar. This joins the upper and lower shafts and acts like a shear pin does on an outboard. It is possible to bend these without breaking them.

I suggest you speak with your friendly VP dealer regarding warranty.

If the drive subsequently fails due to water contamination of the oil you are unlikely to be covered under warranty or your insurance.

Better to be safe than keep your fingers crossed.

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[DPH]

Agree with Duncan on the shear Collar. I hit a net last month and one shear collar broke completely. I limped back on one engine and when the boat was out of the water the other collar was found to be part-sheared along with slightly bent props. Obviously both collars were replaced. Not doing so may have caused a future failure. I'd be very concerned with this risk if you only have one engine.

My advice is get it lifted and checked.




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