I just bought 5hp Briggs outboard and wanted to know if mine is operating properly as I am a newby to the outboard world.

While in nuetral the prop turns backwards...is this correct?

Welcome aboard!

I think the answer is that the propeller is being moved by current or boat movement. In "neutral" the prop is disingaged.

8-)

aaah...the motor was monted to the transom and sitting in my backyard on a trailer (air cooled motor).

Okay. Is the propeller disingaged when the motor is in neutral?

I don't know but it does not appear to be....I guess what I'm not sure of is the shifter not working and skipping over nuetral or is there a certain ammount of power going to the prop in nuetral. Would the vibration (and it does vibrate horribly) emit a harmonic that would cause the prop to turn ant that fast of a rate?

Call me old fashioned but when I put something in nuetral I naturally expect all power to be disengaged.

I bought the motor because it was cheap and I did not expect a ultra quiet hot rod as I just wanted to upgrade from an electric motor to get across the lake and up the river faster to open up some smallie fishing that has been out of grasp.

I have read somewhere that that is normal on that motor because its technically not an outboard motor.  Let me see If I can dig it up!

Thanks Top

It may be vibration causing the prop to turn. With My 40 HP evinrude running on muffs out of the water the prop will slowly move in Neutral. In the water it does not.

WITH THE MOTOR NOT RUNNING and in Neutral can you freely spin the prop? if not maybe the shift cable needs to be adjusted.

The B&S 5 hp motor is basically a B&S lawnmower engine mounted to a propeller shaft with a forward - reverse gear box.

aaaahhhh ..... so there is no true Nuetral?

if you are ever turning the prop (on any motor) make sure you pull the boot off the spark plug just in case. there has been a few fingers loss due to that nad just spinning it can cause it to turn on in cases so alwas take the extra caution just in case it might just save you a finger.

Took the motor out on its maiden voyage friday night, it perfromed very well. A little loud and it vibrates but not terribly bad. Pushed my 14 foot jon boat loaded with 2 200lb men, tackle, trolling motor and deep cycle battery everywhere we needed to go at fairly good rate.

if you are ever turning the prop (on any motor) make sure you pull the boot off the spark plug just in case.  there has been a few fingers loss due to that nad just spinning it can cause it to turn on in cases so alwas take the extra caution just in case it might just save you a finger.

Good Tip

Here is the response I recieved from Briggs customer service...

Matt,

It is normal for the propeller to turn in neutral. This is from friction in the gear case as the forward and reverse gears are always turning the shift lever simply engages or disengages either gear. The propeller should stop turning while in neutral or turn considerably less while in the water as there will be a load against it.

Matt Buff

Technical Service Representative

I have this motor on my boat. It came with it, but I must say it moves pretty well. Doesnt use a drop of oil. Is very light weight. Yes its loud but with the right trim setting you ALMOST get up on plane. Im impressed for such a little motor.

Anyone thinking of using it as a kicker can forget it. Its too fast even at idle to troll.