Grinding when shifting into reverse after sterndrive maintenance (HELP!)

[chmorelock07]

Hello everyone, I have a question and would love some feedback. I have been trying to fix this all weekend.

I have a 1994 Bayliner Capri 2050 with a 5.0 Mercrusier and an Alpa One Stern-drive (Gen 2 I believe). I have been going through and performing the usual maintenance and after I completed changing the impeller and oil in the stern-drive unit, I have noticed that it is hard to shift between neutral and reverse and it grinds until it catches.

At the end of the season last year I began to notice that the shifting was begging to get "sticky" and after completing the work above, it often grinds when shifting into reverse. I took it out on the lake last weekend for a test drive and it ran great, with the exception of the shifting problem. Once it is in gear, whether it is forward or reverse, it tuns great. I have noticed that the idle is a little high (900-100 RPM) and I think this can cause it.

I guess my questions are:

1. What should my idle RPM be?
2. Why is it grinding when I shift into reverse?
3. Could it be the shift cable?

I am a moderete level mechanic and I am about to give up and take it to the boat mechanic (sigh). I suspect that it is the cable, but I have heard that it is hard to adjust? I followed all directions when changing the impeller, but not sure if I did something wrong?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Bondo]

Hello everyone, I have a question and would love some feedback. I have been trying to fix this all weekend.

I have a 1994 Bayliner Capri 2050 with a 5.0 Mercrusier and an Alpa One Stern-drive (Gen 2 I believe). I have been going through and performing the usual maintenance and after I completed changing the impeller and oil in the stern-drive unit, I have noticed that it is hard to shift between neutral and reverse and it grinds until it catches.

At the end of the season last year I began to notice that the shifting was begging to get "sticky" and after completing the work above, it often grinds when shifting into reverse. I took it out on the lake last weekend for a test drive and it ran great, with the exception of the shifting problem. Once it is in gear, whether it is forward or reverse, it tuns great. I have noticed that the idle is a little high (900-100 RPM) and I think this can cause it.

I guess my questions are:

1. What should my idle RPM be?
2. Why is it grinding when I shift into reverse?
3. Could it be the shift cable?

I am a moderete level mechanic and I am about to give up and take it to the boat mechanic (sigh). I suspect that it is the cable, but I have heard that it is hard to adjust? I followed all directions when changing the impeller, but not sure if I did something wrong?

Thanks in advance guys!

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Idle should be 650/ 750 rpms, at idle, in gear, in the water,.....

As you should know, Alpha drives have to be shifted, Briskly into, 'n outa gear,....
That said, if the lower shift cable is original,....
I'm guessin' it needs replacin',.....

 

[dozerII]

Great video.

 

[chmorelock07]

Thanks for the advice, yes it is the original cable from what I can tell. I have had the boat about a year now. I have never had to fight is so hard to get it into gear all summer last year. I think I will try getting a new cable. Is this hard to swap?

 

[chmorelock07]

Also, any idea where I can find one or how much a mechanic would charge to do this job?

 

[Boat Doctor1]

Get new cableor have someone check adjustment!! That said==== being a grinding=possibly you have worn the shifter dog ears or even gear engagement teeth down & might need replacement??

 

[Bt Doctur]

The impeller change? Was it because you overheated? If Yes, then the shift cable was melted where it passes close to the exaust Y pipe.

 

[chmorelock07]

I only changed the impeller because I did not know the last time it was changed. It never got hot. Just standard maintenance.