Gear problems?

[talsum]

I have a 90 hp Mariner serial # OG143399. I had some problems last summer with it popping into gear while I had it in neutral. Recently I changed out the impeller and fired it up but it stays in forward gear no matter where I put the shifter. (Before I took the lower unit off to change the impeller, I turned the propeller with it in reverse, neutral, and forward. Reverse was a solid hold, neutral was okay, but forward would just click as I turned the propeller). <br />I took the lower unit off again and notice that no matter which way I turn the shift shaft on the lower unit it stays in forward gear.<br />The shift shaft from the powerhead does turn when I shift the console lever so that's okay. Is this a stripped gear problem? Is this something a marine tech should handle? Thanks for any advise.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Gear problems?

Yep, it sounds like a gear problem....<br /><br />But first I just have to ask, do you have lower unit oil in the gear case?<br /><br />If that's ok, I'd take it in to get it looked at and get an estimate...

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: Gear problems?

Forward is suppost to click one way. First thing I would do is change the gear oil and see what if anything comes out. If it is pretty clean i would drop the lower unit and put it in gear with pliers and see what the prop does, mine clicks one way and grabs the other in forward and reverse. If you get this situation you need to start looking at cables. Maybe an adjustment or the cable may have stretched. New cables are not real expensive, around 30 usd. hth

 

[dilligafda]

Re: Gear problems?

I would be willing to bet that the problem is in the shift shaft boss in the gearcase. Mercury had a problem with the boss becoming egg shaped and allowing the clutch to move more than design limits. Of course the only repair is a replacement gearcase assembly that includes a new upper shiftshaft. Check with your local dealer, Mercury has a pretty good reman program that will save you a bunch of money over the price of a new one.<br /><br />Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[talsum]

Re: Gear problems?

I replaced the gear oil when I did the impeller. The old oil was a gray color. When I dropped the lower unit again, I used a pliers to shift it one way or the other but the prop only wanted to turn one way. Also, shouldn't I be able to find neutral when turning the shift shaft?

 

[1986mariner150]

Re: Gear problems?

yes you should be able to find neutral with pliers. what dilligaf said about the worn boss is probably dead on, why you would have to replace the whole lower unit is beyond me though, probably is a reason though because he is one of the more knowledgeable posters here. I may have looked at the wrong serial number as it is a mariner, but all that shift stuff don't cost a 100 usd, if you didn't get out any metal beyond shavings and had good gray oil most of the high dollar parts in there are probably still good.