backing my way home?

[gzh8wy]

I just purchased a 70HP johnson ( 1974 ) it runs great but, after I changed the lower gear lube ( strictly for prev maint ) I went about 100 yrds from the dock and then BAM! it kicked out of forward and now won't engage into forward... it go's into reverse fine and neutral, but no forward. it doesn't even make any grinding sounds or anything ? boating is lots of fun, but not so much in reverse... can anyone help

 

[F_R]

Re: backing my way home?

That would be a mechanical shift with power assist (no electric involved). It would be hard to relate it to changing the gear oil. Seems like it has to be somewhere in the shift linkage, but I can't imagine where.

 

[iwombat]

Re: backing my way home?

Please describe your procedure for changing the lower unit lube. It's probably unrelated, but since it's the last thing that was done let's be sure.

 

[gzh8wy]

Re: backing my way home?

removed lower drain / fill plug and the full level plug, drained old lube into pan, refilled to full hole, installed plugs... went to lake.

 

[iwombat]

Re: backing my way home?

Procedure is sound. Just wanted to make sure you didn't fill through the top plug and starve the gearcase of oil is all.