gear box problem?

[Guest]

got a rope caught round the propellor and engine stopped!
Managed to cut it free. After a moment of running in both forward and reverse OK disturbing thumps from the engine area and stalled. Can now not get it out of reverse and when I try to start the negine will not turn over properly let alone start. Help - any ideas - I have a Volvo MD3 engine. Could I still have some rope caught around after all or is it more sinister?

 

[Peter_the_Grate]

Sounds as though it might be the flexible drive coupling. Have you tried looking at the back of the gearbox, where it joins the prop shaft? They are relatively easy to replace.

 

[AndrewB]

If you can't shift out of reverse and the engine is hard to start - which may indicate you can't get it into neutral - it does sound like a gear-box problem. Unfortunately the sharp yank when a rope tangles and stops the shaft does sometimes cause damage to the gear-box, or it might be the clutch has partly broken and is jamming it.