Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

[PJK1979]

Hello I'm a new boat owner and new to this board. I have an 87 sea ray with an alpha one outdrive, I replaced the water pump and it is pumping great. However now I start the engine and the prop turns even with the throttle only button pushed. It worked fine before I took the lower off and replaced the pump. What could have caused this and how do I fix it? I searched the forum and could not fine a similar problem. I'm not sure of the model but here is a link to the style I have for sale on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...ories_Gear&hash=item588fb32c29#ht_3677wt_1150

Thanks
Patrick

 

[QC]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

Welcome aboard PJK. I moved this over to the Mercruiser section, you had originally posted it in the Mercury section which is for Outboards. We'll get you fixed up over here.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

The throttle only function is internal to the control box, and has nothing to do with whether or not your gears are engaged. It sounds like when you put it together you may have made a mistake (maybe not) and it is in gear all the time. Just need a little info and should get it fixed. The prop spins when it is out of the water right? Not unusual. First with the engine off does the control handle move freely back and forth WOT forward to WOT reverse. If so put it WOT F, try to spin the prop CCW, should lock and spin freely (may click) clockwise. Shift to N, should spin both ways, to R, should lock CW spin CCW. If that checks out you are OK. If the gears do not change and it either remains in gear no mater where the shift handle is you are probably missing the washer under the intermediate shift shaft in the gear housing. If the handle jams when you try to shift your i ss is probably "off a spline". Let us know how the above works out.
Oops one more question, changed impeller right, and did you remove the whole outdrive or just the gear housing (lower)? Guess that's two questions LOL.

 

[PJK1979]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

I am at work and will see how it spins when in gear.
Yes I replaced the impeller, I bought the boat used and the guy said it wasn't pumping water so I started by replacing the impeller. I only pulled lower gear housing.

 

[PJK1979]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

Ok I think I figured it out, the prop will not turn counter clockwise. So I should just have to drain the lower, drop the lower shift it to WOT F and then put it back together correct? Thanks for all the help on this guys.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

Ok I think I figured it out, the prop will not turn counter clockwise. So I should just have to drain the lower, drop the lower shift it to WOT F and then put it back together correct? Thanks for all the help on this guys.

Ayuh,... It has to be Held in forward, as it's reinstalled...
Otherwise, it'll pop into neutral like it did before...
I use a bungee strap 'round the prop, to the cav-plate...

 

[PJK1979]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

Thanks again for all the help, the boat runs great otherwise. I just have to repair the floor over the winter and I'll be all good to go

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

Ok I think I figured it out, the prop will not turn counter clockwise. So I should just have to drain the lower, drop the lower shift it to WOT F and then put it back together correct? Thanks for all the help on this guys.

That does not tell me a lot. If the prop will not spin CCW then it is in forward. What position is the control handle in? You need to spin the prop in each gear, WOT F,N and WOT R to see what happens. You may not have to do anything, but can not tell until you check the prop to see which way it spins freely at each control lever position. It sounds like one of two things, either the washer under the intermediate shift shaft is missing and it is just not shifting or nothing is wrong at all. If it were "off a spline" the control handle would be jammed and it would be in either N or R.

 

[PJK1979]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

Ok no matter what position the control is in it locks CCW and spins freely CW. The control does move freely with the engine not running but is a little stiff for the first four inches or so. You mentioned a washer, I took pictures well taking the lower off that there was not a washer, however it functioned fine before I changed the impeller. I also realized from the pictures and video that I took the control was N and the lower was in D when I put it all back together:redface: I hope this answers your question and you can help me out, let me know if you need anything else.

 

[Don S]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

You probably didn't get the shift shafts together properly, or left the SS flat washer off the shift shaft in the lower unit when you put it back together.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

OK we are getting somewhere now LOL. Just read Don's post, yeah the stainless steel washer probably fell off when you removed the gearhousing. Raise up the outdrive and take a look to see if the shift shafts are not connected. To fix: Find the washer (probably on the floor or workbench) #50 here http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...03&bnbr=90&bdesc=GEAR+HOUSING(Driveshaft)+-+R . To put back together properly: Put the control to WOT (all the way) forward, drop the gear housing, put the washer in place, turn the lower ss all the way clockwise (should be there) and turn the prop CCW till it locks and use a bungee to hold tension CCW. Make sure the quad ring is in place. Put it back together making sure the intermediate ss is pointed straight ahead. Check that the prop spins correctly in each gear and you should be good to go. Have fun.

 

[PJK1979]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

Thanks guys, I'm pretty sure that the washer is in place. Hopfully I'll have time to take care of it tonight.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

I took pictures well taking the lower off that there was not a washer, however it functioned fine before I changed the impeller.

That is entirely possible, depends on whether or not the i ss slides down far enough on the lower ss to uncouple the connection. In your case when you put it together the upper ss was pointed to port (N) and the i ss was pointed straight ahead (F) and they could not slide together and it forced the i ss farther down onto the lower ss, so there was no connection. Washer should fix all that. Just read your post. Same thing except you may have bent the washer when it forced the i ss down. Should be able to flatten it out and use it. Check to make sure the top of the i ss and bottom of u ss are not bent. Good luck.

 

[PJK1979]

Re: Help Throttle only not working after waterpump change

It's done!!!! I took all apart flattened the washer which was bent from the SS pushing down on it, and reinstalled everything and it all works good. Sure enough the lower was in forward and the control was in neutral. The controls all work the way that they should. Thank you all for all your help.