200 HP Merc Reverse Problem

[FloatingMoneyPit]

I have an 88 200 HP Mercury Black Max. We put it in the water this year and it would not go into gear at all. We pulled it out. I removed the Control Cables and tried to shift if by hand and got forward to work. I reconnected the control cables and forward works fine but reverse does nothing. I drained the gearlube from the lower end and put fresh lube in it. I found water in the old gear lube. After only two starts and attempts to put it into gear, I drained the lube again and the gear lube's color has changed from the translucent golden color to a solid dark grey which worries me that there may be metal shavings in it. <br /><br />Has anyone had a similar problem and what was the culprit and what did it cost to fix it? Any suggestions would be helpful too. I've never removed the lower end so I don't really know what I'd be looking for if I did. Thanx.

 

[graddy]

Re: 200 HP Merc Reverse Problem

Does your lower unit shift in and out of forward with no problems, if so then your clutch dog is not engaging the reverse gear. I would have a dealer pull the prop shaft and inspect.