DP-SM Shifting Problem - Need Help

[RadioguyJ]

On my 2006 Cruisers Yachts 340 Express, the port side drive (DP-SM) does not immediately shift into forward when I advanced the lever. In fact, I have to advance the throttle up over 1,000 RPM's (usually 1200-1500) before it will go into gear, and of course this results in a BAM when it catches forward gear.

I do not have this problem going into reverse, only going into forward from neutral.

This started happening about 2 months after I bought the boat last summer. At haul-out in the fall, the marina removed the drive and told me there was water in the gearcase. This might be completely unrelated, but they pressure tested and vacuum tested the drive, there were no leaks anywhere and they said it must have been a bad o-ring on top of the drive, so they said they replaced that o-ring. If there was water in the drive, would that affect shifting from Neutral into Forward only? I didn't think that made any sense.

Launched the boat last weekend, same problem with the shifting into forward.

Does anyone have any ideas for me? I have asked pretty much everyone I know, and posted on a couple forums for help, but nobody has any educated guesses.

Here's the info on the engine/drive......

2006 Volvo 5.7 Gxi 320 hp
DP-SM 1.95 Duo Prop Drive
Mechanical controls/cables.

Thank you in advance for any guidance you can provide. I really appreciate it!

 

[wkb2460]

Re: DP-SM Shifting Problem - Need Help

Check your shift cable, It sounds like it might be out of adjustment.

 

[RadioguyJ]

Re: DP-SM Shifting Problem - Need Help

Thank you. I checked the cable last fall and it appeared to have been adjusted as far as it can be. And I don't think the cable can be adjusted on the drive-side, as I believe the cable passes through the transom into the drive. I'm thinking either way, we are looking at a situation where the boat will need to be hauled out, and the drive removed to investigate this. Do you agree?

 

[Don S]

Re: DP-SM Shifting Problem - Need Help

Hauled out yes, but you won't have to remove the drive to check the cable adjustment, and yes it's adjustable on the drive.
Remove the plastic cover off the drive and make sure the shift lever moves the eccentric arm all the way into gear both ways.

View attachment Cable install.pdf

 

[RadioguyJ]

Re: DP-SM Shifting Problem - Need Help

Thanks Don.
The marina that looked at the boat last fall seems to think there's trouble within the drive, such as a bad clutch? This is the same place that wanted to charge me $4k to install a new prop shaft and seals on a 2005 Bravo 3 drive a couple years ago. I didn't take the bait back then and I am reluctant to take it now.

What are the odds that this could be something internal (and major) like a clutch problem? The boat has 178 hours on it, fresh water use, and really it's had a very easy life thusfar. Thanks again.

 

[RadioguyJ]

Re: DP-SM Shifting Problem - Need Help

Oh, I should add that when I bought the boat, both props on both drives (polished stainless steel) were damaged and needed to be repaired. Could striking an object have caused some damage with the shifting into forward only? Sorry, I should have disclosed that fact earlier.

 

[Don S]

Re: DP-SM Shifting Problem - Need Help

What are the odds that this could be something internal (and major) like a clutch problem? The boat has 178 hours on it, fresh water use, and really it's had a very easy life thusfar.

I'm not an odds maker, especially without knowing the drives history. Sure it's possible it's internal, especially if it wasn't adjusted properly from the beginning and has been slipping for some time. But I would sure check adjustments before I started taking the drive apart.