Why does my Volvo Outdrive jerk into gear?

[boatingmark]

Hi all

Please could someone enlighten me to why when I lightly shift the lever forward or reverse it jerks into gear, its always been like it since buying the boat last year but its obvious it could be a lot smoother.

Is it just a case of adjusting the shift cable?

Thanks in advance

 

[Scott Danforth]

verify your oil level and adjust your shift cable.

 

[dypcdiver]

Make sure that your idle speed is as per the manual for whatever motor and outdrive you are keeping secret for us.

 

[Augoose]

Like others indicated in addition to the oil level, your shift cable and throttle cable are "synced" - when you push your throttle control arm forward, the shift cable pulls a linkage at the outdrive which puts the lower unit in gear and at the same time, the throttle cable pulls a linkage at the engine increasing the rpms. If the pull of your throttle is not balanced with the lower unit going into gear, the rpms increase before the "shift" occurs, causing the jerk or whump you feel.
Have someone operate the throttle control arm while you inspect the shift linkage at the back of the outdrive beneath the plastic cover (if an SX drive for example). As soon as you begin to move the throttle arm forward, the linkage should begin to move.
Without knowing your exact engine/outdrive model, the above should get you started.

 

[jerryjerry05]

It's always helpful to know what we're working on.
You say you just bought it so it could be a new boat?
The answers are a bit different on a newer boat.
The older ones had a different setup for locking down the drive and jerking into gear could be the lockdown mechanism is going bad??
So help us with the year, model??

 

[boatingmark]

Thank you all so much for your responses.

The boat is a fairline holiday, I have a Volvo penta AQ170C with 280 Outdrive. Brought last year as a runner but in need of a little TLC!

I thought it best to ask the question now because very soon im pulling the boat out to change the U joint bellow (due to a leak in the drive) and wanted to investigate this problem at the same time.

I really hope nothings gone bad and its just a case of adjustment!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Look close at the lock down.