Jumpin out of gear

[Bulldurm]

New to this,
Just bought a 1969 25 hp Evinrude sportster and put it on a 18 foot Fisher boat. I believe that it is jumping out of gear and right back in. Are there any adjustments that can be made? please help if possible!!

Thanks,
Bulldurm

 

[5150abf]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

Welcome to iboats bulldurm

Do not run the boat until you get this resolved.

Here goes, the way the lower unit works the gears are always turning,forward and reverse are straight up and down and there is a pinion gear on the drive shaft on top of these, these gears are always engaged, a clutch dog locked to the drive shaft slides forward or back to engage the gear you want.

What is happening is the clutch dog is slipping, the gear rotates 180 degrees then it reengages, this is really bad.

I am not familiar with your motor but there should be an adjustment under the hood, find the shift cable and see if you can adjust the cable the way it needs to move to engage the gear more, on mine you would move it forward btu I have a much newer 50 horse.
If you haven't run the boat too much you may be okay, also drain and check your lower unit oil, you may have water in it .

Hopefully someone that knows this motor will be along soon to give you specifics.

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

the water will make it slip? i have this same problem, and i just tore apart the lower unit to fix it, but i had alot of water in there,

Welcome to iboats bulldurm

Do not run the boat until you get this resolved.

Here goes, the way the lower unit works the gears are always turning,forward and reverse are straight up and down and there is a pinion gear on the drive shaft on top of these, these gears are always engaged, a clutch dog locked to the drive shaft slides forward or back to engage the gear you want.

What is happening is the clutch dog is slipping, the gear rotates 180 degrees then it reengages, this is really bad.

I am not familiar with your motor but there should be an adjustment under the hood, find the shift cable and see if you can adjust the cable the way it needs to move to engage the gear more, on mine you would move it forward btu I have a much newer 50 horse.
If you haven't run the boat too much you may be okay, also drain and check your lower unit oil, you may have water in it .

Hopefully someone that knows this motor will be along soon to give you specifics.

 

[Bulldurm]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

Thanks for all the info!
How would I know if there is water in the lower unit oil? will it change color?
Please advise

Thanks,
Bull

 

[F_R]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

It doesn't matter at this point if it has water in it or not. You have to tear it apart to replace the clutch dog and forward gear. Replace all the seals while you have it apart. Trying to adjust it out is wishful thinking. However, if you let it continue to bang like that, it will beat the linkage loose.

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

It doesn't matter at this point if it has water in it or not. You have to tear it apart to replace the clutch dog and forward gear. Replace all the seals while you have it apart. Trying to adjust it out is wishful thinking. However, if you let it continue to bang like that, it will beat the linkage loose.

so does water cause it to start jumping out of gear?

 

[F_R]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

No, normal wear and tear causes that. Accelerated wear and tear can be caused by shifting at too high engine speeds, or worse yet, trying to be gentle with it by "easing" it into gear. Always shift with a quick snappy movement.

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

Thanks for all the info!
How would I know if there is water in the lower unit oil? will it change color?
Please advise

Thanks,
Bull

it will be milky yellowish color, not clear yellow when you put it in... that is if it was yellow to begin with. i think sometimes lower unit oil is green right?

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: Jumpin out of gear

No, normal wear and tear causes that. Accelerated wear and tear can be caused by shifting at too high engine speeds, or worse yet, trying to be gentle with it by "easing" it into gear. Always shift with a quick snappy movement.

ok, well ill have to be more carefull with it