Boat stalls when trying to accelerate

[Bane333]

Hi,

I have a 79 merc I/O. I was out boating this weekend and had issues accelerating.

The boat would engage forward and reverse but when I try to accelerate in forward or reverse the boat would just die.

Recently I changed the hydraulic pump and installed a new transom seal kit. Before I did this I had no issues.

I am thinking I did something wrong with the lower shift cable. I had to remove the shift cable from inside the engine in order to install the new bellow on it for the transom/outdrive.

I read online that the stalling when accelerating issue could be linked to the shift cable so I am just here to confirm this and get some of your expert opinions.

Is there a certain setting I must have on the lower shift cable? I didn't mark the setting the cable was on before I took it out so I am thinking I may not have adjusted it correctly when i put it back in.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

I read online that the stalling when accelerating issue could be linked to the shift cable so I am just here to confirm this and get some of your expert opinions.

Ayuh,.... Did ya install a New lower cable,..??

If not, ya should have, they wear out 'bout the same time the bellows rot away,....

Stallin' is a classic symptom of a lower shift cable draggin', 'n bindin',....

 

[alldodge]

Try this, take the wires attached to the shift interrupter and disconnect them (make sure you are out in the water clear of anything). Try to throttle up and see if it still stalls. If it does not, then its something else, if it does then need shift cable or something else with the interrupter

 

[GA_Boater]

Bane333 - Moved this into the Mercruiser section. It may be a cable problem, but it's on the engine side, not the control side.

 

[Bane333]

Thanks everyone, I will give it a try this weekend.

 

[tlewis1]

There is a great video on youtube on how to set the adjustment for the lower shift cable, just Google it and you should find it. You'll want to check the max play in the cable while in fwd gear and the setting when installing on the bracket is 6 inches from the middle of the brass knob to the middle of the stud hole.

 

[Bane333]

Hi All, just thought I would do an update.

The issue was the lower shift cable. I readjusted it to 6" and it runs fine now.

Thanks for all your help.