Gear shifting 2000 J150

[winfieldh]

Hi,

Couple of questions about proper shifting for 2000 J150.

Last trip to lake, going into reverse when backing off trailer, gears did not quite mesh and got slight grinding until shift lever pushed further back (single lever shift/throttle control). I realize proper technique is to move handle promptly when shifting gears rather than slowly and this is what I always do. This time, when handle moved to reverse, gears did not engage completely.

Shifting to forward was normal.

Upon return to dock the same thing happened. This time though, to get into reverse, the handle had to go further back and the throttle began to increase, so when reverse engaged, the motor jumped slightly due to engaging gears at slightly higher than normal rpms.

I have removed cover/air breather and observed shift mechanism while shifter moved from forward to nuetral to reverse. There does not seem to be any play in the cabling, connections, or mechanism under the carbs.

This motor is new to me as of June this year and when I first got it the reverse gear was worn to the point it would not go into reverse when in the water (it would on the hose). Mechanic replaced the reverse gear and it has been fine since (until this last trip).

Another thing I have noticed is when engine off, shifter moved into gear, the prop will still spin. This is true, forward and reverse. I thought once put in gear, the prop should be connected to drive shaft and consequently the engine which, if off, will not spin ??? This one does.

Question is before going to mechanic, are there adjustable items in the shifting mechanism I should look at to see if loose? Would there be adjustment in shifter box on the console? My recollection is the lower unit must be dropped to adjust shift rod.

Thanks,
Winfield

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

No adjustment in the control. Might need to adjust the shift cable at the engine. Things tend to wear and stretch with time.

 

[winfieldh]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Should the proper be stationary (locked to driveshaft) when shifter is put in gear (engine not running)?

 

[boobie]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Yes.............

 

[winfieldh]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Working with the linkages....it seems that when adjusted enough to shift into reverse, it will not go far enough forward to get into forward and vice versa. It is close, meaning if I give a little shove with fingers it will go into the opposing gear, but not without help. There is about .25" slop in the end of the shift cable. The plastic adjuster just throws the whole shift mechanism further forward or backward, not wider or narrower. From forward to reverse, the shift rod linkage goes 2.25" total travel, the cable does about 2".

It seems that if engaging forward were "closer" to engaging reverse (<2" travel), it would work. Is that something that can be adjusted? Should I look further south ( into the lower unit?) Would the shift rod length have anything to do with this?

Thanks.

 

[winfieldh]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

OK Warm enough to get back to this....

If I adjust the shift cable so that the travel is in the middle (equal distant to forward as reverse), it does not quite go far enough in either direction to lock the propeller before the throttle starts to come up. I can feel the gears rubbing in the propeller, but will not lock it. If I give the shift lever a bump with my fingers it will go into gear.

Question is where do I adjust this out? It seems like the shift cable needs to be stouter or have 1/2" more throw in both directions. ???

 

[boobie]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Sounds like a worn shift cable or slop in the control box.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Also water in gearcase will wear the shift cradle causing excessive clearance...

 

[winfieldh]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Are there any measurement specs as to how far the shift lever (the metal one that comes out from under the carbs that the cable linkage attachs to) should travel? That would tell me if my issue is console/cable related or I need to dig into the lower unit.

 

[boobie]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Take the shift cable off of the mtr and push it all the way in. Then pull it all the way out and measure the distance between the two. Let us know what you find. Have the control box in neutral when you do this. Have you checked the g/c for any water in it ??

 

[winfieldh]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

The gearcase oil was changed this past Pay. I watched the mechanic, there was no water in the fluid.
Removed shift cable from engine. With control box in neutral, the end of the cable had 3/8" movement from all the way in to all the way out.

 

[winfieldh]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Solved -- The bolt at the top of the shift rod was not tighten down, or better put, had become loose. Once that was tightened up shifting functions properly. I did apply locktite (blue) to that bolt and the others that I may have loosened removed in the process of troubleshooting.

Thanks to all who replied.

 

[boobie]

Re: Gear shifting 2000 J150

Just remember, it's the little things that will always get ya'. Been there.