Motor won’t turn / starts fine with impeller pulled

[__ScottyDont]

Hi All,
Been awhile since I’ve been on here - finally got the boat ready this past weekend and went to start the starboard motor and nothing, didn’t even turn. It attempted to but something was clearly stopping that. Pulled the impeller to see if a bird built a nest up there over the winter and nothing, clear as day. With the impeller off I cranked the motor and zero problems, ran smooth as butter and everything sounded normal. Impeller did spin freely. I’m fearful the intermediate bearing is trashed, anyone else have a thought? I would assume that bearing would sound rough or something off even with the impeller out.

Things I know are not the problem:
1) Batteries are fine
2) Plugs are good
3) Impeller spins freely off the boat
4) Motor starts and runs perfectly with impeller off the boat

**Edit: spelling

 

[Scottintexas]

I would say your wear ring has swollen, its a common issue, im on my phone do can't easily search for a thread about it

 

[__ScottyDont]

I went and took a second look at it yesterday - thats my guess too after relooking at it.

 

[__ScottyDont]

Babbitt's is out of wear rings and stating they are on nationwide back order - who else does everyone deal with that they've had good experiences with?

P/N: 6CR-R1312-00-00

 

[Julian]

Are you sure it wasn't just the clean out hatch switch acting up? I would think you would notice the impeller hitting the wear ring when you pulled it if it was binding enough to stop the motor from turning.

 

[__ScottyDont]

I'm nearly certain its not that - the starboard motor doesn't even make half a revolution but it does attempt to. It was definitely challenging getting the impeller in and out. Pulled the port just to compare and it was much easier.

 

[Mike Clark]

Just an option until the wear rings come, in, take the housing with wear ring and impeller to locate tool shop have them run offset boring bar thru and clean it up and bring back into tolerance, should be about .010" clearance between edge of impeller and ring. Will get you back on the water.