Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

[Homerr]

I took the boat out for the first time this season yesterday, and occasionally the drive wouldn't engage right off.<br /><br />You can hear it try to engage, but it just wouldn't go. It sounded like two gears just touching each other, but not quite meshing.<br /><br />I could put it in reverse just fine, back to neutral, and then it would usually pop into forward.<br /><br />This is on a 2001 Mercruiser, with practically no hours, so I can assume the drive is fine.<br />The drive has never given any noise, etc.. It runs perfect.<br /><br />Am I looking at a cable adjustment issue?<br />If so, does anyone have a "adjusting cables for dummies" guide?<br />And would the adjustment be at the engine, or the throttle control? I'm not sure where the adjustment would be out-of-whack.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

Here's a good page that shows how to make the adjustment:<br /> shift cable adjustment <br />It's also possible the cable is binding / stiff and needs to be replaced.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

Homerr,you may indeed need a cable or adjustment.Before going too deep try spraying a penetrating oil one the cables where they mount on the engine,work them back and forth a bit.Sometimes it's enough to make things work.<br />DHP

 

[Homerr]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

Thanks guys...<br /><br />Come to think of it, this was my first time out this season, so it may very well be the protectant spray I put on the engine when I stored it.<br /><br />I'll get a fresh can of WD-40 tomorrow and hose things down.<br /><br />H.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

hello<br /> when was the drive last off for its yearly maint? if the intermediate or upper,shift shaft seal is leaking and odds are it is, then it will allow water into the cable and cause all kinds of problems. the cable should never need adjusting. it is a semi-solid wound stainless cable. I hear about them stretching but have never seen it. I do see other parts worn. if the shift seals in the gimbal have never been inspected look at that as well. whatever you do dont let a 60 dollar cable kit ruin a 4000 dollar drive.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[outboardguy]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

You may try looking at the shift bracket on the engineand see if the front anchor point for the bottom cable is loose.I've seen the anchor point come loose a few times and cause a sudden loss of one gear and not the other.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

'Could be Any of the Above.........<br />It's Also the Classic Symptoms of the Demise of the Lower Shift Cable............... <br /><br />I use the directions listed in Fishermark's link.... Trick is having the Right Friend on the Prop for you..........

 

[Homerr]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

I'll take a look at all of your suggestions...thanks.<br /><br />It's a 2001 Mercruiser (305 chevy).<br />I've only had it in the water maybe a few dozen times. Forest fires and low water in my local lakes hampered my boating activity for the last few years.<br /><br />The drive has never been off since I bought it new. The dealer said those drive don't typically need major work (like the pump) for at least 5 years. Dunno if he's blowing smoke or what.<br /><br />The drive has never had any problems. This is the first possible problem I've noticed.<br /><br />H.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

Homerr<br /> thats the whole reason for yearly maint is so you never have problems. in freshwater you may get away with it but its still water. seals still leak. I hope its just excessive gunk on the cable but usually it indicates water has gotten to the inner cable wires and is causing a tight cable. if you look in your owners manual it does not say 100 hours even if it takes 10 years. it is a maint item just like oil changes.<br /> I am doing a valve job on a 7.4 volvo GI that is a 2001 with 450 hours on the clock. guy let it sit 7 months with no prep and a valve is stuck. that seal on the upper shift shaft was and is a cheese bone piece of crap. it leaks and leaks often. I would complain to merc but I make a lot of money off of them. my customers however get a different and better system when I replace them.<br /> the ratcheting you describe is the clutch dog teeth grinding on the fwd gear engagement teeth. if you shift slow it will do the same. it is a bad thing.<br /> very very bad thing. it can and will eventally lead to clutch and gear failure. if your lucky that will be all but usually as the metal tries to go between the pinion and the fwd gear it tends to self destruct.<br /> have the cable checked and make sure your shifting methods are correct. never ever ever baby it into gear<br /> toss that lever with a quick snap and shift. the unit was designed for that. make it go clunk. its supposed to.<br /> good luck and keep us posted

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

"Dunno if he's blowing smoke or what." <br />Yep, I'd say so.....<br />Everybody Should do, or have done, Atleast the Annual Pull, Check, Wiggle,+ Grease.........<br />Along with an Oil Change......<br />Sitting Still, Destroyes More Boats, Than All Other Causes Combined......<br />Alpha's Especially.......But most Any marine drive, Likes to be shifted, Briskly........

 

[Homerr]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

The wife and I just went through the shifting cable adjustment, and it seems to be fine.<br />Everything seems to engage both forward and reverse. I didn't have to make any adjustments.<br /><br />The cables were a bit gummy, so I put some WD40 on them. The shift cable didn't seem to bind or feel sticky.<br /><br />This will be the third year I've owned it.<br />Do you think I should have it looked at? Maybe replace the pump while they're in there?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[Darian F.]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

yes get it inspected, serviced,the hundred hour check should be 25 hours earliest or 50 hours at latest with merc ( for the first inspection anyway) <br /><br />why???<br /><br />Any possible initial problem can be found and corrected especially with engine alignment issues. Bad engine coupler or gimbal bering not seated properly, Hey it happens.<br /> Drawback you probobaly will have to pay for service

 

[Homerr]

Re: Mercruiser drive engagement trouble?

Yea, I should probably have it looked at.<br /><br />What is the typical charge to have a shop pull the drive, inspect, change oil, pump, etc... ?<br /><br />I don't know if I should attempt this work myself. I have an alignment tool for the drive, but as far as doing the pump, I'm not sure what I'd be getting into there.<br /><br />H.