I was hunting on Saturday, and after a cluster of a morning- my buddies battery was dead at the ramp as I am waiting for him already in the water- changed his battery- turned out his clutch was engaged! We get going, and I am in the lead. I cut threw a narrow gap, my buddy missed the gap and is dead stuck. I realized when I didn't see him behind me. I turned around and eventually found him stuck in the middle of a big bed of cattails. He throws me a line and I hook him up and pull him out. We are off again to our spot, when I hear a crack and then loud high pitch winding sound coming from my motor! I shut off the engine and start looking it over- the rotating screen underneath the cage on top of the motor came loose. All three screws and washers went right through the screen. It was an easy fix. I just took a couple of bolts out and removed the screen. We were back on our way, for a fairly slow hunt of teal and a couple of Ringers.

Has this ever happened to anybody? Just curious. I have already ordered a new screen and screws from Briggs.

It has happened to a few folks. Thats why some of us have taken it off. Its not needed in this application.

I was kind of thinking the same thing, but I will probably put it back on. It is a pretty easy fix on the water. I was just surprised to see it give way. Is it from over tightening the screws, bending the screen, and making it weaker? I have about 145 hrs on the motor. Or is it just a weak link that eventually goes?

Leave it off....

I think it can cause other damage when it comes loose. Probably just metal fatigue and the light weight screen being easy to pull loose.

You are right- it certainly could if it actually cracks and pieces come loose and drop into the motor.... Sounds like I should have saved the 32 bucks!

Trim the fan blades about a 1/4 inch, get rid of the HW and tie it to the cowling:

Happened to me, running wide open. It sounded BAD! it ended up cutting the grounds to the coils and breaking a few fan blades. It made for an interesting weekend of hunting, motor wouldnt turn off with the key, plug wires will shock you pretty good. I would not put it back on.

It happened to me about 3 weeks ago...I am not putting it back on. You talk about a sh!tty sound to hear when your trying to get to your spot.

Most people that mod engines, leave that screen off.

So, you should be good without it.

I will take a look at that option DB. It looks like from the picture the set up is a little different on the PD, but I am sure I could make that work. I like the idea of having the screen on, especially on a PD, to stop acorns or whatever from falling into the motor. With a MB/GTR, that is not as likely, but with a PD...not so sure.

well some how one of the bolts jammed in my starter...luckily I had to tools and some help with me and we pulled the starter un jammed it put it back on, got all of the other crap out of the flywheel and we were back on our way. I havent noticed any difference with half of my fins missing so I guess it wont hurt anything.

Thats it im pulling mine off when i get home that stuff aint happening to me