Bern0 Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 (edited) HI, I have just bought a wide beam, and although I have some experience with canal boats I think I've managed to destroy(?) the gear box while trying reverse it. I was going from forward to reverse repeatedly, without resting in idle in between. Now it's stuck in reverse only! Also it's never in idle anymore, the propellar is always in motion. It's a prm120 gear box 55hp Isuzu engine I was wondering a) If you think it's the gearbox, and have I ruined it, or can be repaired? is it safe to use the engine now (for charging) even though it's starting straight in gear? C) if you had any other insights Edited April 1, 2020 by Bern0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fizz Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 I think I would check that the gear selector hasn't moved as a first step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movin' on Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Bern0 said: HI, I have just bought a wide beam, and although I have some experience with canal boats I think I've managed to destroy(?) the gear box while trying reverse it. I was going from forward to reverse repeatedly, without resting in idle in between. Now it's stuck in reverse only! Also it's never in idle anymore, the propellar is always in motion. It's a PRM120 gear box 55hp Isuzu engine I was wondering a) If you think it's the gearbox, and have I ruined it, or can be repaired? is it safe to use the engine now (for charging) even though it's starting straight in gear? C) if you had any other insights a) it can always be repaired you could talk to Andy at PRM for his thoughts if they are working b) IMHO yes c) loads but not relevant here - unless you would like to re-assure us your wide-beam is based on an appropriate waterway Have fun and don't panic...……………...lots of help about - that's we are boaters...………………………….. General comment for all - why do some recent posters feel the need to start with "I've got/just bought a wide beam" rather than I've just bought a boat - I wouldn't start with "I've just bought a Tug" - Is it marketing based?? Edited April 1, 2020 by Halsey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bern0 Posted April 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 Thanks for the quick answers As of answer 1, the lever works but wires just flex and don't seem to be moving anything on the gearbox. I guess they should, and this is the gear selector you mean? Sorry dont know much about mechanics! Answer 2. Thanks I will ask a prm person. I'm glad you think that it's fine to start as it was making a roar starting it in gear Yeh thought it might be relevant, maybe gearbox wasn't big enough or something Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 1 minute ago, Bern0 said: Thanks for the quick answers As of answer 1, the lever works but wires just flex and don't seem to be moving anything on the gearbox. I guess they should, and this is the gear selector you mean? Sorry dont know much about mechanics! Answer 2. Thanks I will ask a prm person. I'm glad you think that it's fine to start as it was making a roar starting it in gear Yeh thought it might be relevant, maybe gearbox wasn't big enough or something Thanks again Sounds like the cable snapped. Where it links to the gearbox try and move it with your hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy D'arth Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 Cable is busted and jamming in the outer sheath, disconnect it at the gearbox end, change gear manually, bet it works OK. PRM120 is not the best, a purely mechanical box, but they survive this sort of treatment day in and day out on hire boats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen-in-Wellies Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said: Cable is busted and jamming in the outer sheath, disconnect it at the gearbox end, change gear manually, bet it works OK. PRM120 is not the best, a purely mechanical box, but they survive this sort of treatment day in and day out on hire boats. What 'e said ^^^^^^^^. Almost certainly a busted gear cable. Around £30 to replace. Worth getting a spare while you are at it. The single control lever works two cables. One to the engine for speed and one to the gearbox, hence what you are seeing with the engine working normally, but the gearbox stuck in reverse, the position it happened to be in when the cable snapped. Jen Edited April 1, 2020 by Jen-in-Wellies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryeland Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 55hp is a huge engine to be working through a PRM120. For example Beta only fit it to the 38, not anything larger. Are you sure it's a 120? A photo would help. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 If it is a broken cable, they are quite easy to replace if you have the right tools. They do come with different connectors so It would be a good idea to post a photo of the single lever control and the gearbox end of the cable on here as someone (RLWP) may be able to tell you the cable type. They also come in different lenghts so you need to measure the old one. Are you a member of RCR? It might be worth joining and then get one of their engineers to come out. Midland Chandlers supply cables https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/engineering-tools/engine-controls/control-cables 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan de Enfield Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 46 minutes ago, Halsey said: General comment for all - why do some recent posters feel the need to start with "I've got/just bought a wide beam" rather than I've just bought a boat - I wouldn't start with "I've just bought a Tug" - Is it marketing based?? Possibly its a cry for help "I know nothing about boats or mechanicals, and just wanted a floating flat" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 56 minutes ago, Halsey said: General comment for all - why do some recent posters feel the need to start with "I've got/just bought a wide beam" rather than I've just bought a boat - I wouldn't start with "I've just bought a Tug" - Is it marketing based?? I'd suggest it is because they've read threads here where as soon as someone does what you suggest, everyone starts asking what SORT of boat is it? Widebeam? Canoe? Converted trawler or what? !! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bern0 Posted April 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 34 minutes ago, Ryeland said: 55hp is a huge engine to be working through a PRM120. For example Beta only fit it to the 38, not anything larger. Are you sure it's a 120? A photo would help. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 Certainly looks to me as though the gear lever on the gearbox is "in gear". Busted cable, almost certain now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeping Up Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 If the cable snaps, moving the lever to the "reverse" position will often push it into reverse but will not pull it back out of reverse again. If you put the lever to "ahead" or "neutral" and then move the selector on the gearbox to the neutral (central) position, you will be able to stay in neutral and use the engine for charging as long as you only ever select "neutral" or "forwards" at the lever. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fizz Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 That looks like a 150 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 That looks like a PRM hydraulic box a 150 or 160. Agreed it looks like a snapped cable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fizz Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 And a distinct lack of maintenance I fear.......lots of corrosion and a lack of lubrication Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bern0 Posted April 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 5 minutes ago, Captain Fizz said: That looks like a 150 Might be, just went with 120 as that was what was told by previous owners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzard Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 9 minutes ago, Captain Fizz said: That looks like a 150 It certainly does. I can see the round hydraulic pump casing next to the propshaft half coupling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bern0 Posted April 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 16 minutes ago, Mike the Boilerman said: Certainly looks to me as though the gear lever on the gearbox is "in gear". Busted cable, almost certain now. Busted cable it was. Disconnected cable and gears change manually no problem! Thanks very much for everyone's input. Much better than new gearbox! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtB Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 1 minute ago, Bern0 said: Busted cable it was. Disconnected cable and gears change manually no problem! Thanks very much for everyone's input. Much better than new gearbox! Excellent. where do we send the bill? (Just kiddin'!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 15 minutes ago, Bern0 said: OK the lever where your toe is needs moving towards the black pipes. It will be stiff to start with it will then get easier as it goes into neutral. Stop at this point and try starting your engine the prop shaft should rotate. If it does try moving the lever whilst the engine is running to a point when the prop shaft stops rotating. If you can't move the lever unbolt the cable from the lever, there is a rusty nut holding it in place so you may have to oil it first or use WD40. When you've done that tyry moving the lever again. Don't lose any bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bern0 Posted April 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 54 minutes ago, Richard T said: If it is a broken cable, they are quite easy to replace if you have the right tools. They do come with different connectors so It would be a good idea to post a photo of the single lever control and the gearbox end of the cable on here as someone (RLWP) may be able to tell you the cable type. They also come in different lenghts so you need to measure the old one. Are you a member of RCR? It might be worth joining and then get one of their engineers to come out. Midland Chandlers supply cables https://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/engineering-tools/engine-controls/control-cables Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzard Posted April 1, 2020 Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 1 hour ago, Ryeland said: 55hp is a huge engine to be working through a PRM120. For example Beta only fit it to the 38, not anything larger. Are you sure it's a 120? A photo would help. Richard Indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bern0 Posted April 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2020 2 minutes ago, Richard T said: OK the lever where your toe is needs moving towards the black pipes. It will be stiff to start with it will then get easier as it goes into neutral. Stop at this point and try starting your engine the prop shaft should rotate. If it does try moving the lever whilst the engine is running to a point when the prop shaft stops rotating. If you can't move the lever unbolt the cable from the lever, there is a rusty nut holding it in place so you may have to oil it first or use WD40. When you've done that tyry moving the lever again. Don't lose any bits. Did this and slipped into neutral and forwards, no problem ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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