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Tow Rope handle stuck in propellor, engine won't start

D

dRapp

New member
Yesterday I got our tow rope handle stuck in the propellor. The handle is rubber coated metal and was fairly bent when I removed it from the prop. The propellor didn't have any visible damage so I tried to start the engine but it didn't even turn. After being towed back I took the cover off the engine and heard a clicking at the starter motor when the key was turned, so I think it has current going to it. I don't have a voltage meter so I can't verify the correct voltage but I tried using my car battery and the engine still didn't turn, so I don't think it's a battery issue. I don't know a whole lot about boat engines so I'm just curious what kind of damage could have been caused by getting the handle stuck in the prop. The engine is a Honda 150.Any help is appreciated. Please let me know if I need to provide more information.
 
Is it still in gear? Since you are getting a starter click i'm assuming its in neutral or the safety switch would inhibit the starter. Can you turn the prop by hand? Can you turn the engine by hand? Were you idling in gear or running at speed when it happened? Could be anything up to a broken crank.
 
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Yeah that's what I'm worried about. We were not at speed, only idling (does the prop rotate when idling?) The propellor rotates freely, but I'm not sure how to rotate the engine by hand. When I try starting it, the throttle is in neutral. Is it a possibility that the starter is trying to turn the engine but the engine is somehow frozen?
 
There is a plastic cover over the flywheel, remove it and you should be able to rotate the flywheel by hand. Make sure you turn it in the direction indicated by the arrow on top. You may want to pull the plugs to make it easier. Prop spins when in gear and idleing.
 
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