Is prop on mercury outboard supposed to turn when hooked up to hose with earmuffs?

Question

Motor starts fine, and runs fine with the gear bypass switch (Throttle in neutral). When I try to shift it into gear and rev it, the propeller does not spin. It does not sound like it is engaging at all. Is this normal or should it be spinning?

Answer 1

If it is in gear it should spin.

Answer 2

It may spin even if in neutral and this is normal. Its just because of the thickness of the gear oil when its cold. It sounds as if your shift is not adjusted correctly and when its in neutral its in gear and when you shift into gear the shift is not fully engaged. Disconnect the shift cable, move the shift on the engine back and forth and find the center of travel. That is where your shift cable should be adjusted to for neutral.

Answer 3

Please don't put your engine in gear on a dry land test, it is dangerous.

To answer your question: yes, your prop should be spinning if it is in gear.