Engine Stall

indyguy

Recruit
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Messages
4
1984 18 ft Rinker open bow
Mercruiser 185 I/O

Had the boat out yesterday pulling skiers. After a few hours, I put the engine in forward, and it stalled. I restarted it, and the same thing happened a few more times; engine idling, but when put in to forward drive, it stalled. Started it again, then revved (sp?) the engine in neutral, then back to neutral, then into drive, and it worked fine. The same thing happened again about an hour later. Any ideas on what is causing it?

Thanks!
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,362
Re: Engine Stall

Check the routing of the lower shift cable, too close to the exaust and it can be damaged. If the interupter switch was activating ,it`s a sign of a bad lower cable or corrosion in the shift system
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Engine Stall

Any ideas on what is causing it?

Open the engine hatch and have someone watch the shift interrupt switch. Sounds like your lower shift cable is needing replaced. If the switch is engaging when you shift into forward, then the cable either needs replaced, (likely) or adjusted.
 

indyguy

Recruit
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Messages
4
Re: Engine Stall

Thanks for the very fast responses! I will check it out and see what happens.
 

indyguy

Recruit
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Messages
4
Re: Engine Stall

Keep meaning to give an update... The shift cable did indeed turn out to be the culprit. Adjusted it and all is well now. Thanks again for the input!
 

sweet41k

Recruit
Joined
Aug 7, 2009
Messages
5
Re: Engine Stall

My 1987 Mercruiser 175 is doing the same thing. Which cable did you adjust
(control to bellcrank or bellcrank to lower unit) and where did you get the info on how to adjust it?
 
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