Removing a prop and v-drive oil change.Advice sought.

[aaron]

I would like to get advice from anyone who has experience in removing a prop that is "stuck" to the shaft......and hammering it out is not an option.I have changed many props before on my older nautiques but my SANTE 03, which had an ACME fitted on since day one, seems not keen to lose the prop.

Secondly, how can i drain the Vdrive in order to put new oil.
I have previously tried hand pumping out from the dipstick side but
i know this is not really an effective way to get all the old oil out.

Lastly, how often must we change the spark plugs.My engine still runs super smooth even after 600 hrs.

Thanks

[Flux]

RE: Removing a prop and v-drive oil change.Advice sought.

Do you have a C-Style Prop Puller?? Incrementally tighten the puller and give it some firm blows to the back.

I use a suck up to get my oil out of the V-drive. Works pretty well. There should be a drain house clipped some place around the remote filter, work it back under the engine and drain it if that's what you feel you need to do. Warm the engine oil first by idling for a while, with a hose feeding the engine cooling water.

Not sure about the plugs, I am still running my originals as well. You could always pull one to check it's condition and decide for yourself.

Don't forget to put a new impeller in there!!!

[aaron]

RE: Removing a prop and v-drive oil change.Advice sought.

Yes I have one but it seems so tight and hard to tighten.when u say firm blows to the back what do u mean?like hitting the C clamp or the fore of the prop rearwards?

As for the drain hose, u are refering to the engine oil right?I was refering to the dipstick of the Vdrive.I dont think that there is a drain hose for the vdrive cos i have never seen one.

Yes, i have a new impeller already.Thanks

[Flux]

RE: Removing a prop and v-drive oil change.Advice sought.

My 02 has an oil drain hose, it's snaked up through the wiring and such and is clipped to the remote oil filter bracket. you may or may not have one, it has a brass nut/cap on it.

I think what happens with props is they oxidize and bond to the shaft over time. My old one was fairly stubborn. I would tighten the nut on the puller and then use a hammer to deliver a few blows on the clamp's other end (bow side). Tighten again and hit it again. Eventually it came loose. Put a nice light coat of grease on the shaft before installing the new one or putting the old one back on. this will prevent it from bonding to the shaft.

[aaron]

RE: Removing a prop and v-drive oil change.Advice sought.

Thanks Flux.I also have an oil drain hose for the engine, but i was refering to the Vdrive.What kind of pump/mouth/motorized do u use to get the vdrive gearoil out??
and when u Suck it out, is it out from the dipstick tube?

As for the prop removal task , yr instructions are very clear and i will try it out 2mrw.Thanks again

[Flux]

RE: Removing a prop and v-drive oil change.Advice sought.

Sorry Aaron, I messed that one up!! DOH!! You wrote it plain as day too.

The Walters V-Drive oil is pretty much just a gear bath. It really should not get all that dirty. Don't take this as the truth, but I have heard it said you really don't need to change it all that much. I think it only holds 1.5 qts (someone correct me if I am wrong please) I would just stick a pan under there and catch the oil, clean the magnetic drain plug if there are scraps on it. Having an oil pump would allow you to suck the oil out of the pan so you don't dump it in your bilge. Alot of folks use this guy:

http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SUC01

Best bang for your buck. I have been able to change all my fluids through the dipsticks and never spill a drop!! I have changed my V-drive oil once, through the dipstick, with the suck up.

Good luck with the prop. They can be stubborn. We hit it with a regular framing hammer. We had to hit it a bit harder than I liked, but it came off with no damage. The new ACME we put on there seated nicely, just do their pencil marking trick to make sure the key is not interfering with seating the prop. Check it for loose after your first day on the lake.

[JoeCos]

RE: Removing a prop and v-drive oil change.Advice sought.

Extreme measure but, if all else fails - I've read somewhere that they've used blow torch to heat up the shaft & stubborn Prop. After it heats up, a few gentle blows should do it.

As always - use with caution.

I will try to find the link.

[06210rider]

The v-drive, being a walters takes 2 pints of fluid NOT 2 quarts. 2 pints is just shy of 1 quart of lube. If you want to drain all the fluid out remove the hose that is on the lower right side of the v-drive (it will be the hose that is down at the bottom of the v-drive). If you remove this hose you can clean the debris screen that is attached to it. It will make a mess in your bildge though.

[TRBenj]

2 pints is just shy of 1 quart of lube.

Pretty sure 2 pints is exactly 1 quart.

[Andrew]

to remove the prop, apply dry ice to the shaft (use gloves) after u see the shaft ice up, pour a pot of boiling water only on the prop center of the prop. the shrinking of the shaft and the expansion of the prop will allow the prop to come off. also, it never hurts to soak in wd-40. this is using the same principle of the torch, but does not come with the risk of faulty tempering or distortion. when u do replace the prop, i'd suggest using a good coat of anti-seize instead of grease. the anti-sieze will never dry up, and will make it much easier to remove next time.

[aaron]

thanks so much guys....but blow torches,dry ice....
Well , i will give it a go asap.

[Hollywood]

thanks so much guys....but blow torches,dry ice....

Has anyone actually done this? Sounds ridiculous to me.

Keep trying the puller, try moving it to between different plades like tightening lugs on a wheel. Snug it up and give the back a few taps with hammer.

[Andrew]

yes, i've used ice and hot water in many applications. have used a torch in less sensitive cases as well. these methods are far less likely to damage any of the parts if u know what ur doin. like i said before though, unless u understand tempering of metal, and its thermal properties, i wouldn't suggest the torch.

its much easier to apply a little heat/cold and tap it off than it is to beat the **** out of it

[Mikeski]

I have pulled lots of props, I used to use heat before I had a good prop puller. Now I just put a little torque on it with a C clamp and give the end a few taps and it usually pops right off. Some of the prop guys swear by the "harmonic" pullers. Basically vibrates the prop off after a few swift taps. I am up to the 6th prop change on my 05 211, now it has antiseize between the prop and the shaft and comes right off.

[Andrew]

yeah, anti-seize will solve all future problems