UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

I have been getting a faint smell of burned rubber from my engine compartment. The boat is a 97', 500hp's. Couplers are original, always been greased and aligned properly. I think this may be a sign. I took a peek around the coupler area and there was a tiny bit of dust under the couplers. I always come on plane slowly and rarely do WOT runs. Am I going to have to pull the engines or is it possible they may make this summer? I was planning on freshening the 500's this winter but it sounds like I may get a practice run on engine R&R. Whats been your experiences?
Thanks

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

sure its not a belt? (your smelling?)

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

No, I guess I'm not sure. All of them seem to be tight. I know that the water pump belts are touchy. I hope that is the proplem. I have spares:D

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

mine were pretty pointy (about to go) and mine is 2000 vintage. id say your pretty close to the life span. bob at full throttle marine did mine, and he said the worst thing on them is idling (like an impact wrench on them). im glad we dont have long no wake zones.

Being this far into the season, id run em till they break, especially if you plan on pulling them this winter. just my .02

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

The way they are made you should not be able to smell rubber unless the split and spin. Usually it is the metal splines that give up and you shouldn't smell that. Check your belts and exhaust hoses after running for a bit, might be one of those overheating.

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

Water temps are perfect. Is is possilbe that the water flow may be restrcted going into the exhaust? Should you be able to put your hand on the exhaust risers after running? I would think that with water temps in the low 60's that you should. They were very hot last time I checked. On the other hand I have good water coming out the tips:confused:

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

B.R.
If it is a coupler and I know they are on borrowed time anyway, I will run them till they spin. I have a back up motor so worst case is a long idle back to the dock:D

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

The coupler should not make any burning smell until it lets go. I would have to think belts or exhaust hose. My .02

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

:eek: I idle a TON. I spring lake mi for me it is no wake because i;m over 26 ft.

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

keep em greased up good, that will eat one a lot faster than idling.

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

look behind the mtr and check and see if you see rubber "dust"

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

When I lost a coupler, t here was no doubt. It was like going to neutral at 3500, then black smoke billowing out of the engine compartment. I had no idea what it was, I had Deb hold the fire extiguisher at ready before I opened the hatch. I had a two and a half idle back to the ramp, and it was rough that day. :(

I'd look for something else. I think the coupler would go all at once.

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

Have take out a bunch of them over the years and agree they seldom let go due to the rubber failing. Normal failure is that the splines wear and become very peaked or pointed, reducing the contact with the shaft to the point it just can't hold the power any more and lets go. You can easily check them by pulling the drive off and looking in at them. If what you see are splines that are pointed looking they are not long for this world. Based on rubber smell it does sound like your problem is elsewhere. Good Luck.

Re: UH OH, Rubber Smell, Coupler?
 

The splines usually twist out but some make dust or rubber boogers in the back.. Also make sure your shift cable isnt routed too close to the coupler that protrudes from the bell housing on its way into the transom plate. I have seen a rare few that rubbed there & made a stink & then cable/shift problem. The plastic got hot & melted through the windings & siezed the cable after it cooled. I have also seen this when an impeller fails & the customer runs the boat. The shift cable is against the y pipe in some & melts.. again rare but I have seen it a few times. It may be worth checking them.. Jamie :)