Mercury EFI 150 throttLe stuck

[Slow Ride]

Originally posted in "Restoration, Steering and Controls" but got few responses so I reposted here.

Fellas, We put the boat in the water this week to go offshore and found that one of the motors will not go into gear, neither forward or reverse. The throttle control works fine. I can push the button on the side of the binnacle and rev the engine but it will not go into gear. Sooo...... I spend some time on it today. I took apart the binnacle control and found that it was in surprisingly good shape. Nothing out of order there. No bent/broken parts. No loose bolts, etc. Opened the other side for comparison and found absolutely nothing that should cause a problem. Cleaned, lubricated and reassembled. I then disconnected the cables from the engine side. The controls work normal. I can shift into forward and reverse at the helm but as I mentioned, the engine is disconnected so it is really just the cables sliding back and forth. Again, compared to the other motor for reference and all looks normal. Reassembled after cleaning and mild lubrication. I then removed the lower unit because I was sure the issue was with the gear box at this point. Nope! With the cables connected and the lower unit removed, the gear selector cable will not budge. I'm not familiar with the rest of the linkage between the cable and the gear box. Does anyone know of a common issue in this area or have any insight on what I should check next. I'm almost ready to turn it over to the local dealer for help but thought I'd take one last crack at it if anyone can offer any advice.

Thanks a million for any insight!

Dave

 

[jerryjerry05]

I answered in the steering forum.

The shift shaft that connects under the front of the motor is probably seized.
​The shaft needs to be lubed and worked loose.
​Try graphite grit like you'd use to lap valves.
It's hard to get to but keep trying.

Otherwise the powerhead needs to come off.

 

[Slow Ride]

Thanks jerryjerry05! I thought it was something like that. I had one replaced on one of my Yamahas last year when it was in for maintenance. I was hoping it was something else because I remember it being on the order of abouthe $800 to replace and I'm not sureally I'm prepared to pull the power head on my own. I consider myself an average mech but that seems like an advanced project. Would you agree it's a big job? Are there any specialized tools needed?

 

[jerryjerry05]

First try the graphite?
​Remove the lower unit, then use a pair of vice grips on the lower shaft(so you can turn it back and forth)
​Unhook the shift cable and spray the graphite on the top of the shaft.
​Then turn the vice grips back and forth a lot.
Spray with PB Blaster and more graphite.
Repeat a lot.
Otherwise the power head needs to be removed.
.
Tools? nothing other than regular hand tools.

 

[Slow Ride]

Update..... thanks for the info. I was able to work it loose. It took a while and about a can of penatrating oil and corrosion x. Lol. Now the dang thing won't start! Starter turns but not fast enough to send the gear up the shaft to the fly wheel.