Shifting from neutral problem

[BradentonBreeze]

When I shift out of neutral into either forward or reverse the engine stalls. Could it be I am shifting too slow or is there some sort of adjustment I could make because it seems like there is a lot of movement before I get any sort of throttle pick up.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

It could be a couple of different things. You could be only running on one cylinder. When motor tries to stall when shifting try goosing the choke and see if that helps. If motor dies when doing this chances are it is not fuel related. If motor revs up or does not kill doing this chances are your problem is electrical or one cylinder is not working. If the choke kills the motor I would get a compression done on the motor and verify spark on both cylinders. Also look at the tips of your spark plugs. Does one look clean and the other one dirty. This is the sign of a blown head gasket causing one of the plugs to be steam cleaned. Post back when you have tried the choke test and have looked at the plugs.<br /><br />If choking the motor shows improvement you should rebuild the fuel pump and the carb and replace all your fuel line including the hose to the gas can. Also replace the primer bulb. Inspect the oring on the quick disconnect to the gas can and verify it is in good working order.<br /><br />Good Luck and Merry Christmas

 

[steelespike]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

Just wanted to point out when shifting any outboard or i/o you should shift crisply and smoothly.Dont jam it into gear or drag it in.<br /> Proper technique will save lots of wear and tear.

 

[BradentonBreeze]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

The motor checks out on a compression test and the plugs all look even. Could it be I am just inexperienced and shifting too slow? I don't want to just pump it down to full throttle. When i go to shift it makes a slight grinding noise as I push it forward. Are you supposed to throttle up then cut back when starting out to idle out of the inlet I live on or just very slowly bring it forward until the boat moves?

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

Post your model number and make. If fuel and electrical is working correctly even at slow idle motor should not kill. My money is on fuel problems. The choke test I mentioned should tell. When you prime the motor does the fuel bulb stay firm and no fuel leaks out the carb? How old is the gas? Has carb or fuel pump ever been rebuilt?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

What rpm does engine idle at?<br />If it is too low, motor will die when shifted into gear.<br />Should be around 800.<br />Perhaps a little higher.<br />NOT 1000 though.<br />Could be an indicator that the carbs need to be cleaned.<br /><br />You may have spark and compression, but may have one or more carbs running lean, causing no power from one cylinder, and possibly causing serious damage.

 

[BradentonBreeze]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

Sorry but I cannot find the plate on the motor but it is a 1990 Force 120 w/ Prestolite ignition. I tried the choke test and it killed the motor everytime. The motor seems to be idling a little better today at around 800-900 rpm's. It idles high for about 30 seconds and then settles in to the 800-900. When it is idling at that rpm it will start out great. Sometimes however the motor will idle down to 500 rpm if it idles for a period of time of 2-3 minutes. The gas I would guess is about 5-6 months old only a few gallons with new added into it to fill the tank. I put some fuel system cleaner in and I think that may be what helped it to idle better today.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

Here in minnesota we have alcohal in our regular gas. My chyrsler hates premium gas and that is the only thing availibe that is non oxygenated. If you have alcohal in your gas you might want to consider changing out all the fuel lines and adding good quality fuel clamps. I would also replace the diaphram in the fuel filter. To do these things is around 20 bucks. Because it kills with the choke test may not be an accurate test. Your motor may have a fuel enrichment system instead of a standard choke and you are probably flooding the system with the choke. <br /><br />The other thing to do is to rebuild the carbs. This is about 20 bucks per carb if you do it yourself and you will need a syloc, clymer or factory service manual. The idle circuits in your carbs may have varnish, gunk or debris in them causing a lean condition.<br /><br />The problem could be electrical but doing the fuel system is something that probably needs to be done anyways and is a lot cheaper to do then electrical troubleshooting.

 

[BradentonBreeze]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

Already ordered the manual I may be dumb right now about all of this but I am not a moron..... I actually bought the book

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

Keep us posted on your progress or any further problems.

 

[BradentonBreeze]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

the motor is shifting a lot better and idling better since I fixed the missing exhaust clamp in the tower. When it gets fresh air it works fine.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Shifting from neutral problem

Ah, great discovery.<br />Glad you figured it out.