2011 ETEC 30hp gear case rebuild

**Rooster1554** · 04-03-2017, 05:24 PM

So, while running down the Santee on Friday, the motor was purring along fine...no whining,grinding, etc. Suddenly, it sounded like I shifted it to neutral. There was no grinding or vibration, and I didn't hit anything. I paddled to the bank thinking I had spun a prop hub, but the prop was fine. I pulled the foot off and there is a tiny bit of play in the driveshaft. When I try to turn the prop, I can feel the gears "slipping" like it's not fully engaged, and sometimes it'll catch for half a revolution or so. Fluid level is fine, and the shift linkage was correctly adjusted. I'm thinking it needs new gears and clutch dog. Any suggestions? I'm very mechanically inclined, but have no Evinrude special tools, and have no clue how to index the gears (if you even do that on a boat foot). Is this something I should try on my own, or spend the money for a shop? Thanks.

**willyworm** · 04-03-2017, 07:43 PM

Play in the main shaft or prop shaft?

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**Rooster1554** · 04-03-2017, 07:51 PM

Main...not a lot, but it deflects left and right a tiny bit.

**willyworm** · 04-04-2017, 06:15 AM

If it's the main shaft the bearing may be falling apart causing that play, which will in turn cause the pinion gear to not properly engage the others, hence the slip.

That'd be my first guess. If that is the case, you'd have to pull the water impeller housing then remove the shaft. But once you remove the impeller housing you should at least be able to do a visual inspection and see what's going on in there.

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**turbo** · 04-04-2017, 07:00 AM

I'd start simple and make sure your controls are fully engaging the shifter forward and aft.

Then, you can dig a little deeper.

A 6yr old motor shouldn't have this problem.

**2thDoc** · 04-04-2017, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by turbo

I'd start simple and make sure your controls are fully engaging the shifter forward and aft.

Then, you can dig a little deeper.

A 6yr old motor shouldn't have this problem.

thats it. take advice from the guy who couldnt fix momma's hot water....