Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

[nickfishbait]

The engine has run like a top for 2 seasons. All of a sudden today, reverse will not engage. When the throttle shifter is placed in reverse, all I hear is the clicking and kinda grinding sound which was always the case when shifting into reverse. The RPM's will increase in reverse but the prop dosent spin. Also, after this happened I noticed that neutral is now, not at the center of the throttle shifter - it is off the center detent and now where reverse is AND I have to hold it in place since the position is technically in the Reverse area.

Any ideas as to what is causing this?

Any help is appreciated!

--Nick

 

[boatguy823]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

check your control cables at the engine... sounds like they may have come loose from the places they are mounted.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

carefully inspect the shift shaft, its visible just above the lower unit.
they tended to rust in two on pre 95 motors.

 

[mattdd]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

carefully inspect the shift shaft, its visible just above the lower unit.
they tended to rust in two on pre 95 motors.

and the only way to check it is to pull the power head, and pull out the shaft?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

look just beneath the lower engine mount. you will see a gap where the speedo tube and the shift shaft go throuh.
what your looking for is a shaft that is "hour glassed".

 

[nickfishbait]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

Update...
I was finally able to get down to the marina after work, in the dark and rain.
Due to the conditions I wasn't able to fully disassemble the shift cable linkage but I did forcibly push the Forward-Reverse connecting point all the way back (full reverse) and all that happens is the grinding gets louder but it sounds as if it wants to engage ... its the same sound when shifting slooowly from Forward to Reverse. Neutral is still off center on the shifter.
I'm hopefully getting down there on Thursday with time to fully investigate.

Is it starting to sound more like the lower unit? Please say no.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[2Smokinya]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

If you shift slowly then it will make that grinding noise no matter what. As other people have mentioned, check the shaft, older yammies have corrosion problems and it might be the case here.

 

[mattdd]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

look just beneath the lower engine mount. you will see a gap where the speedo tube and the shift shaft go throuh.
what your looking for is a shaft that is "hour glassed".

i looked there and didnt see the hour glass. could this still be my problem and its just bent somewhere else?

 

[nickfishbait]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

I will be giving it a thorough look this week.
Question - if the shaft was corroded, would it even attempt to shift into FORWARD (forward works fine for me)? I would imagine that I wouldnt even hear it try to engage if that was the case.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

it is possible

 

[edgutgesell]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

Before the shift shaft breaks, the shaft can get a permanent twist where the shaft is thinnest due to corrosion. This could cause shifting into forward correctly and not into reverse and cause neutral to be off center. Power head needs to be pulled to replace shift shaft.

Ed G.

 

[mattdd]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

looking at the top of the rod, it looks like it could be pulled by removing the reed plate. if the reed plate didnt do it, i could definatly get by if i pulled the bottom off the crankcase. is there a reason to pull the powerhead rather then just the crankcase bottom? i dont know which one is easier. what do i need to order along with the shift rod....gaskets and such?

 

[nickfishbait]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

The second mechanic came down and said the Clutch Dog is shot. The reverse side if this piece is more than likely missing teeth. This is the reason for it not always working. He mentioned the shift rod seemed fine. A rebuilt lower unit is what he suggested over re-gearing it himself. Cost - $1200-2000!!!! Does this seem right? How involved is it to replace this part and do you suggest a complete lower unit?
I'm in a pickle with 2 mechanics at both ends of the spectrum.

Thanks for your time,
Nick

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

why replace a case if all you need is a clutch and a reverse gear ?
the only way to tell if the clutch is bad is to remove it for inspection.

 

[nickfishbait]

Re: Lost Reverse on 1994 Yamaha 130

Rodbolt,
Exactly my point but I'm stuck with how they want to do the work. Trying to get another mechanic on board to see what he says.
How complex is this to do?
I've dropped down lower units before, just not on a yamaha. Ive never worked on the gearing tho.
Who is a reputable source for the parts?

Thanks