96' 225 Ocean Runner shift problem

[cobbcfi]

I just replaced my powerhead and now for some reason my shifter isn't engaging the gears. I can adjust the cable at the linkage and get forward gear OR reverse gear but not both. When it does engage FWD gear, it is only after the throttle has started to increase the rpms and it slams into gear. This was not an issue before the powerhead was replaced and nothing in the lower unit was touched.

Any thoughts or advice for me to get this fixed, not having reverse gear approaching the landing with a coastal 6knt current is not something I want to do..

Thanks guys for any help

 

[tlewis1]

Just sounds like the shift adjustment is out on the engine side...Disconnect the shift cable at the motor and reset it according the throttle handle..Neutral at the motor should be neutral at the handle. I always set them so they are a little closer to fwd gear then reverse.

 

[jakedaawg]

I would guess that some thing got assembled wrong with regard to the linkage. Is the link pin completely in the shift rod hole?

 

[cobbcfi]

I'll double check the linkage, the guy that originally bought the remmaned powerhead had laready put his linkage on the block, mine did not get reused, I'll have to compare the two or put my original setup on the block and get rid of his.

Lower unit oil wouldnt have anything to do with it would it? I could check the fluid level by opening up the top screw on the foot and check the level.

 

[racerone]

Oil level has nothing to do with it.------You might want to check the shift rod height.----That has a lot to do with it.

 

[cobbcfi]

Well everything looks good except that I drained the lower unit and got about 1/2 a quart of seawater.... Some metal shavings on the magnetic drain plugs as well... Not a trace of oil anywhere.. Dammit!! Gonna fill it back up and try it out during the hurricane this weekend in Charleston S.C. and see if it'll shift when full of fluid.

 

[Guest]

Cobby:

You need to get new seals in that lower unit PRONTO, you don't want seawater in that gearcase.

f re-adjusting the shift cables in the trunion mounts at the motor doesn't solve your problem, Your shift rod height may be out of adjustment. Do you have an OMC shop manual for motor?

 

[cobbcfi]

I have an online PDF manual, what about the shift rod height that would cause this? Nothing below the powerhead was adjusted or even removed from the transom.. I just disconected and reconnected the shift rod linkeage..

 

[cobbcfi]

I see in the manual how to adjust the shift rod height and it tolerance is down to the 1/32 of an inch in adjustment.. Thats not much.. How easy is it to mess up or turn that rod, very well may have been disturbed a couple years ago when I changed my impeller or during the powerhead swap over the summer... So to clarify how to measure the shaft height, I would measure from the upper surface of the lower unit (while the lower unit is on the engine where the two meet?) to the center of the hole in the shift rod? Or do I need to remove the lower unit? Thank CaptErich, I never would have thought of this..

 

[w2much]

You need to remove the lower unit to get the measurement. You can adjust the shift rod by removing the pin under the carb and turning it (the shift rod). You will need to remove your lower cowlings to do this. I have done this before. But you will not know your shift rod height doing it this way. It does however allow you to check whether you can get into both gears. Not a good way to leave it as it plays havoc on your remote control and link and sync of the remote and the cables. Best to remove lu and take the measurement.

 

[cobbcfi]

Ok, could I remove the lower unit, take it to the Johnson/Evinrude service place and have them make the adjustments and I can re-install it? How much would I expect to be charged to have them do this? I am not spending $310 for a special tool for a 1 time adjustment.. Unless you have another way of measuring the height that is accurate enough to get it right?? Thanks again for any advice..

 

[racerone]

???---All you need is a tape measure to adjust shift rod height !--------Takes 2 minutes to do.

 

[cobbcfi]

Oh I can do that.. I have never paid attention to wether I have a 20" 25" or 30" shaft.. What is an easy way to tell?? I know, dumb question after owning the motor for 14 years and not knowing what the shaft length is..

 

[racerone]

Post the model number.-----Or measure and post height of your transom.

 

[cobbcfi]

J225TXEDE

 

[racerone]

That would be a 25 " motor for a 25 / 26" transom.

 

[cobbcfi]

ok sounds good, thanks

 

[cobbcfi]

Ok, so I got the lower unit off, adjusted the shift rod height to 26 15/16" and checked the lower unit oil which is full. I put the ear muffs on and fired it up. It shifted perfectly into forward and reverse gears with no noise coming from the lower unit (i.e. no grinding or banging). I towed it to the landing and it will only shift into forward gear, grinds like crazy trying to get reverse. I have adjusted the cable at the engine all the way back and it still wont get reverse gear to engage. I am assume the friction in the water has caused the issue to reappear when it didn't when it was out of water. Any ideas moving forward??