Hard to shift back to neutral

[Thunderhvn]

Hey all, I'm at a loss here. My 2007 Bluewater runabout 18ft Volvo/penta I/o 4.3L started shifting hard last summer, especially when trying to go from forward to neutral. On advice of these forums, I changed all the necessary cables over the winter. But it still shifts hard. So I went beyond the cables to the photos shown in the reply below. The brass cover shifts up and down with the throttle lever shifting. This brass cover is the problem. It is very stiff, even to move by hand. I am not a great mechanic so if you have ideas what is causing this, please explain well! Thanks in advance and hope you all can help!!! Video is too big to upload... PHOTO IN FIRST REPLY

 

[Thunderhvn]

Photo of Brass piece

 

[bruceb58]

Is it hard to shift while the engine is running as well as when it isn't? If you remove the cable at the drive side can you shift it manually with your hand(don't do this with engine running)?

What is the level of your gear oil? Sometimes, an overfilled drive can cause this.

 

[Thunderhvn]

It is hard to shift while both running and when not running. Gear oil level is normal.

The cable is removed and yes, can shift with hand but still very stiff. I had a video of me shifting it by hand but evidently this site doesn't allow video uploads...

JIM

 

[Shaper79]

My local marine mechanic told me to only fill the drive no more than half way up the stick or just showing on the stick. Too the top of the stick can blow seals once the oil gets hot and expands. "Maybe " also damage shifting components. "

 

[bruceb58]

My local marine mechanic told me to only fill the drive no more than half way up the stick or just showing on the stick. Too the top of the stick can blow seals once the oil gets hot and expands. "Maybe " also damage shifting components. "

I hope you realize that the proper fill level is to when the oil comes out the vent hole(E in the picture below) that is near the shift linkage. That puts it exactly where it needs to be on the dipstick. That level is near the bottom of the dipstick. It is plainly marked as shown in B in the picture below. If you are half way up the dipstick, you have it WAY overfilled.

 

[Shaper79]

Sorry I did not mean the complete dip stick. Lol. Only half way up to the flat spot or just above the tip of the dip stick. Now I have only changed my outdrive oil one time. And I did not know about the vent hole by the shift linkage when I did it. But I did fill from the bottom and checked it on the stick. I stopped half way up on the Flat area of the stick. Ran the boat for a bit. And check it again. The mechanic we have here told me not to go all the to the top of the flat spot on stick. Leave some room for oil expansion. But now that I know about the vent screw. Il. Start using that as my indicater

 

[bruceb58]

And I did not know about the vent hole by the shift linkage when I did it.

You definitely need to ditch that Seloc manual!

 

[Shaper79]

Lol. I wish I would have known not to spend 40$ on a seloc manual also.

 

[Thunderhvn]

Anyone else have any ideas? Any mechanics on here that might know? Thanks, JIM

 

[PatinIdaho]

No Title

I would un hook the rod attached to brass part. Remove the 4 bolts and pull it out and have a look. If it turns easy with it out you know the problem is deeper. If it turns hard still then you know the shifter is the problem.
Here is a diagram to help you. Hope its big enough to see

 

[PatinIdaho]

Here is a link to the diagram
Well they wont let me link a diagram from marine engines . com

 

[Jammer864]

Reshim the Shift Shoe. Look up Shift Shoe Shimming in the drive manual. Easy and is done from outside the drive.

 

[bnicov]

Check the shifter handle (morse box). It could need adjustment and/or cleaning and lubrication.