PCM Transmission Blown Up

[Justin_C]

Last weekend we went to pull someone out of the water and when the boat was put in gear the RPM's shot through the roof but nothing happened. Sounded like the engine was fine, just the transmission was not spinning. It could limp back in reverse (barely). We figured it was the damper plate but after taking it into the shop, they say that the damper plate looks fine. Fluids are fine. It's a PCM GT-40 engine in an '97 MB Sports Boss 200ls. Any ideas what the issue could be?

 

 

[ForrestGump]

Sounds like you toasted the clutch packs or pump. Luckily, they can be rebuilt fairly easily or you can get a new one from skidim for about $1700. Jody Seal or Tim White might have take out ones for sale, too.

[A_B]

My buddy's 2009 SN just did the same thing yesterday. He was having rpm/surging issues, and we all thought it was a ZO issue. Turns out his tranny clutch assembly is toast.

 

I am wondering if his weed issue clogged up the tranny cooler and he cooked it?

 

This is the first and second time I have ever heard of it.

 

[ronski]

sounds like the forward clutch pack on the velvet drive transmission is not engaging which is usually caused by no or real low oil pressure from the pump and or the clutch pack is broken. There is a big (9") o ring on the piston which engages the clutch pack that could have failed, broken oil pump, real low oil level in sump, lots of stuff could have failed. No mater what it is, sounds like it needs to be pulled and rebuilt or replaced. Damper plate usually start making a racket as the springs fail before they go.

[Inboardfix]

@Justin_C Assuming MB used the PCM transmission 1:1.23 or 1:1 it sounds like the pressed in forward clutch housing gear has dislodged. This would eliminate the forward gear but you would still have reverse. Overheating/warping of the forward clutches would usually result in forward only, no reverse, no neutral. As @Ronski mentioned there are other reasons for no forward gear but on the PCM trans you don't see a pump failure very often without other issues failing first (usually because of contaminants in fluid or low fluid level).

 

What model/manufacturer of transmission is in the boat?