Overheated now wont shift in forward or reverse

[Pontooner1010]

Just bought a 1996 Harris Flotebote with a 3.0 Merccruiser. Had it out a few times with no problems. This past weekend had it out on the lake when it overheated after about 20 minutes of use. Got towed in. Next day husband started off easy and changed the thermostat. Let it run and gauges were fine. Wanted to put it under a load on the lake, but could not shift. It is like its frozen....but..you can push the little black button in and it will throttle that way in forward and reverse. Now another thing...when checking the impeller, etc. He found some black (maybe boot?) pieces floating by the motor and they looked pretty charred and they fell apart. Help! P.S. still docked in the water as its gonna be a few weeks before we can go get it.

 

[Bt Doctur]

they may be pieces of the exaust shutter but if the shifter is also jammed you may have melted the shift cable. Got to come out to fix

 

[nola mike]

they may be pieces of the exaust shutter but if the shifter is also jammed you may have melted the shift cable. Got to come out to fix

Wow, that's some overheat

 

[MichaelBC]

Checking the impeller means that your husband took of he lower pat of the sterndrive ? Maybe the shift shaft does not match the upper part.

What happens if you do not press the little black button. Is the lever blocked then ?

 

[Pontooner1010]

If you don't press the black button it doesn't do anything..like it is frozen. My husband was in his kayak checking the prop, grates, etc. So he didn't take anything apart. That's also when he found the burnt rubber pieces that came from somewhere.

 

[Pontooner1010]

Wow, that's some overheat

Oh it was hot..but the next day we changed the thermostat, checked the oil etc and it actually ran well and didn't overheat again! But the shifter is frozen now.

 

[Pontooner1010]

they may be pieces of the exaust shutter but if the shifter is also jammed you may have melted the shift cable. Got to come out to fix

Thank you!

 

[MichaelBC]

The impeller is inside the sterndrive. I can not imagine how to check this from outside. If the engine did overhet then it would be a good idea to take it apart and check that.

 

[Pontooner1010]

Thank you...I probably used the wrong wordage.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... The lower unit needs to be dropped to change the impeller in the raw water pump, as I believe it's shot to overheat that badly,......
As for the shiftin' problem, the lower shift cable runs tight to the exhaust y-pipe, 'n I imagine it melted from the overheat,....
So,...... Both the lower shift cable, 'n the raw water pump need to be Replaced,.....
'n while yer at it, the shutters in the y-pipe are no doubt burnt up, 'n will also need to be replaced, the burnt up bits of the shutters will need to be dug outa the lower reaches of the y-pipe too,.....