4th of July got me. Tranny gonzo , options.

[swatguy]

Well the holiday week finally got me after 45 yrs of escaping the mayhem. Was pulling out of the riding spot no wake zone, got up to speed then whammo. Somebody left a tow line floating in lake and I managed to suck it up, it was black and grey so really couldn’t see it. Took me solid 35min to cut the tangled mess off only to find I lost forward and reverse. After a tow. prelim diagnosis is the tranny is toast. It’s at the dealership which I am sure will recommend a new PCM unit, Any other options to consider?

[MN Ryan]

Ugh! Sorry, man.

[bturner]

I think you're in Chicago land right? How about calling these guys in Port Clinton OH. I don't see PCM specifically but they may be able to rebuild yours. They say if you don't see yours, call them. Not a fun ride from Chicago but I bet you've done worse, I know I have.....

https://www.transmissionsunlimitedin...ion-rebuilding

[BasaltRMK]

Oof, that's awful - nightmare scenario. Glad you're okay and were able to get towed in. Hopefully it was at the end of the holiday weekend?

Fingers crossed that it's not as bad as feared.

- bob

[swatguy]

Thanks BT.


My daughters both played AAA hockey. One for team USA under 18’s. Ohio is cake. The turnpike is robbery tho.


Basalt

yea we were 8 days into the 10 trip so wasn’t a super killer. Just hoping I can get the part so our short summer isn’t dead. If pcm has to build it that kind of leaves me at their mercy.

[Scooter G]

Tough deal, that had to be a heart stopping sound. Glad you got 8 of 10 in though.
You would think the prop key would shear before taking out a trans, but maybe not with a rope entanglement holding it all together.
Come to think of it, has anyone ever sheared a prop key, maybe they are more to keep the prop from moving on the shaft?

[swatguy]

I would think the softer NiBrL blades shear off before the stainless key on the stainless shaft Lot of outboards run poly “hub inserts ” to shear before the gears. But I would think we have too much torgue for that to be effective.

[Scooter G]

Ah, didn't realize they were stainless , and I just had my prop off. I guess I should of looked at it more closely as it went bouncing across the floor. I was more focused on not dropping the prop.
Definitely not a shear pin in that case.

[s_kelley2000]

Sorry to hear, that is a bummer. Might be worth checking with your insurance depending on your coverage but probably not something they would cover. I would definitely check into having it rebuilt as its not rocket science and might be able to get it turned around quick with a local rebuilder. I didn't watch the whole thing but here is a step by step video of a PCM rebuild (not sure which model you have) if you are feeling handy: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zybPkIhVIMk

My buddy rebuilt the reduction trans in his SN 2001 and he said it was pretty straight forward but he is fairly mechanically inclined.

Might be worth checking that it's not something silly like a transmission cable got knocked loose/snapped as its separate cables for throttle and trans F/N/R selection although. I am assuming it only revs like it's in neutral when you try to put it in gear? Did you hear any metal grinding noises when the incident happened? I wouldn't think a prop foul would take out a transmission but crazy stuff happens. Good luck and I hope you are back on the water soon.

[jpwhit]

What transmission is it? If it's a PCM 40i with a separate v-drive unit attached, then you're probably out of luck getting it rebuilt. PCM no longer makes the 40i or parts for it. You'll have to upgrade to the PCM 80A transmission. Last upgrade I did, I paid under 2k for the PCM 80A, but I've heard they are over 5k now.

[swatguy]

I am awaiting the parts list from the dealership in order to see if the damage is that severe to submit claim. Being I picked up foreign object I’m optimistic on the coverage. I don’t have the actual trans model number, but I do know I have the trans and the power plus v drive combo as I’ve always wondered how lifetime that power plus fluid really is. I do recalll the talk of the 80 being a replacement vaguely . I remember someone on here advertising a boat with a “heavy duty transmission upgrade “ and people have few questions about that language.

[jpwhit]

Yes, the PCM 80A is a much more robust transmission than the 40i. I've actually never heard of one having a problem yet. Of course they haven't been around for a really long time, but it's been 10 years now so that still seems impressive. And someone will probably post now about one blowing up, but still doesn't change that you regularly hear of issues like you do with the 40i.

[James]

Have you looked at the trans fluid for evidence (metal) of transmission failure? Since you lost both forward and reverse have you considered a damper plate failure rather than a transmission failure?

[swatguy]

According to shop fluid was all good. Correct amount didn’t look smoked. They will be doing the complete tear down by weeks end , the damper plate failure is actually what I thought first. So curious to see how this all pans out.

[zmnypit]

Similar thing happened to me Sunday minus the rope. Picked up a surfer, headed to the dock full ballast to drop off a few that had to leave then all of a sudden neutral. No fw or reverse. Got it towed in, walked on the trailer then took it home. Once home on the hose while checking things out reverse was working but no fw. Ordered new solenoids so hopefully that fixes the issue if no suggestions? Not even sure which trans I have yet as I havent touched it or looked at it since Sunday. 2017 G23, H6