Put same message up in general discussion. I have an '03 33 w/ twin 496HO & Bravo 1 X. Yesterday, cruising along at approx. 4000 rpm's in flat water. All of a sudden alarms so I immediately shut them down. All temps normal and fluids are fine. Start up again no alarm but rattling noise near transom even in neutral. Limped back home for 1 + hrs on 1 engine. Started other engine up a couple of times still ratling then I put it in gear and shut it down. Now stuck in forward so I can't even start it. I'm back on the lift. Any ideas? TIA

Sounds like a broken outdrive.

Even when your controls are in neutral, the drive shaft is rotating inside the upper of the drive. This is why it rattles even in neutral. The shifting/clutch mechanism is in the upper rear portion of the drive.

You can pop the top and/or rear caps off of the drive and peer inside. I bet you will see carnage. You have more than likely blown the upper and/or clutch. Do NOT run it anymore.

Yikes. Can't start it in gear so I wouldn't even think of trying to run it. Biting my nails waiting for mechanic to come out to the lift. Hoping it can be fixed w/o having to try to pull it out on 1 engine. At low tide, I only have about 3 ft of water but don't know whether drive could be pulled out while on lift. Does anyone know if the Merc extended warranty is 1 + 5 yrs or + 4 yrs? If +5 I'd be 1 month out of warranty. Doesn't look like I'm going to get a quick & easy fix at this point, huh?

Likely the drive. you could have broken the driveshaft/u-joint among other things. Absolutely don't try to start the engine. I would plan on a new drive though.

Sounds like top gear set in the drive. I had the same scenario with my 25 Outlaw.

You have a broken upper. Easy fix, but plan on spending a few grand. I think upper gear sets are $1500 or so. Tear the entire drive apart & wash out/replace all the bearings. Cheap insurance. Trust me. I break drives at least once a season.

I would be willing to bet it is the port drive upper too.

The verdict is in. Either broken shaft or u joint in the upper case. Mech called Mercruiser who told him tough luck as I'm 3 weeks out of extended warranty. 130 babied hours, not a single claim in 6 years and meticulous service and I get a tough luck. I called Merc myself and asked, begged, etc...and still got a tough. BS. They can