rough shifting into fwd & rev

[JTHead]

I have a 1985 Mercuiser 185MR I/O. When you put it into gear (fwd or rev) it shifts rough. If you put it into gear slowly you can hear the gears clinking until it finally engages. Sounds like an old car without synchronized transmission. Any suggestions.<br /><br />It also has started not engaging in reverse until about the same time the throttle starts advancing, making it a fast hard engagement when it does engage into reverse.

 

[achris]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

Sounds like the idle speed may be a tad high, and the "not engaging in reverse" sounds like you need to check the shift interrupt adjustment. Good luck....

 

[hondon]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

First of all ,stop trying to slide this thing into gear slowly.They do not work that way. shift aggressivly from nuet to fwd or rvs with one swift motion.Idle speed may well be an issue here as well.

 

[Anywhereis]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

I would have to agree with Hondon. From what I have read on these boards, those Merc's like to be jammed into gear. You may try a search on this topic, I know I have read about this before.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

JTHead, All motors (outboard + Sterndrive) like to be put into gear quickly. The transmissions are designed for it. In your case, I would check the idle speed to assure it is not too high. This will make for hard shifting. Also, if you have the ignition interrupt switch on the shift linkage, make sure it is working. (I know the Mercruiser Alpha I has this, not sure about your motor) The switch is designed to interrupt the ignition circuit for a half second. This interruption removes the strain on the drive gears and allowes them to engage or disengage easier.

 

[achris]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

All mercruiser MC1, R, MR, Alpha one and Alpha one Gen II have interupt switches. They are designed to kill the ignition system momentarily on disengagement only, so as to 'unload' the gear train so the shift isn't so stiff. And yes, the gear box should only be in gear or not in gear. No slow shifting, knocks the edges off the dog clutch. The clutches have a 2 degree negative rake so that they won't disengage under load. Some of the high performance outboards have the interupt switch and negative rake clutches too.

 

[JTHead]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

Let me try to clarify or try to state differently. I am not really putting into gear slowly. I am going from Net quickly into Fwd, but have not advanced the throttle as yet. So the engine is running slowly. I am not hesitating when I shift. It goes into gear, it just makes a loud clanking going into gear. I should note here that I have the boat OUT of the water. After I have been in Fwd and shift back through Net and into Rev you can hear the gears clanking trying to mesh, before it finally (2 sec) goes into Rev. If I am coming out of Rev into Fwd it does not immediatly go into gear. You can hear the gears clank a couple of times before finally meshing and going into Fwd. Going from Rev to Fwd is not as bad and from Fwd to Rev. <br /><br />Either way it is a definate metal to metal sound. Maybe it is just that the boat is out of the water and the sound is not muffled as it would be by the water. It just sounds like the gears need geasing??<br /><br />I don't know if I have made it any clearer or not.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for the hints.<br /><br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />JT

 

[rattana]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

Has it gotten progressively worse, or did it happen all of a sudden? Have you recently changed any components, such as the shift cable? Did you make any adjustments to the shift cable. Have you checked the drive oil? Make sure it is clean and full to the vent hole.

 

[nickwilson]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

Solution: Get a Volo.....oops, did I say that? Anyway, my old Merc use to do that, found out it was the clutch dog. Replaced it and all was good. This may or may not be your problem however.

 

[xltier]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

i run many mercs out of the water on a hose.they all clank and rattle like their coming apart.a scary sound.but u should go quickly.their not sycronized like a transmission in a car.and if ur idle comes up before complete engagment than ur cable needs to be adjusted.extremely important to be exact on that.hth

 

[achris]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

Didn't realize you were doing all this out of water. Don't go straight from FWD (or REV) to REV (or FWD) as the prop has not had time to stop spinning. And out of water they do bang quite harshly. How is it in the water?

 

[JTHead]

Re: rough shifting into fwd & rev

Just put it in the water, after adjusting idle. Jammed into gear with no problems. Thanks for everyone's advice.