OMC: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

[aJohn79]

Ok, so here I am again. Following the broken impeller shaft (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251629) I finally decided to have a nearby shop replace the upper unit with a rebuilt one. After spending lots of $$$ I picked up the boat to find out it was not shifting into reverse. Shifts forward fine but not reverse. The shop 'says' that it shifted well after they tested. I thought it could be some problem with the shifting cables after they reinstalled the outdrive. Could this be? They claim that probably something happened in the lower unit after the impeller shaft broke on the upper. Even after the impeller shaft broke I was able to shift forward. However, I can't remember if I tried reverse, but I drove the boat back to the pier and I assume I engaged reverse to dock.
So, what you guys think. Can I trust the shop? How come it shifted well at the shop after they replaced the upper unit and did not work at home when I tested it three days later. BTW, I tested off the lake with the hose connected to the engine.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Needs a adjustment, heres a link hope it helps.

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/kw-shift.html

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

I'd take it back. If you try to do the adjustment yourself, you'll probably void the warranty on the repair. See if they can get it to shift into reverse while you're watching.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

In the link he talks about making a hard copy and giving it to the tech, some don't know what thier doing.

 

[aJohn79]

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

let me ask you guys this. Can I test by shifting the lower cable directly?Meaning, is the adjustment performed on the upper cable? or is there also an adjustment of the lower cable?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

let me ask you guys this. Can I test by shifting the lower cable directly?Meaning, is the adjustment performed on the upper cable? or is there also an adjustment of the lower cable?

Howdy,

The short answer is yes, you should be able to shift (manually) using the lower shift cable by hand (disconnected from the shift plate)

I'm assuming you have a manual and the "Hastings" article.

I did a little reading thru your previous thread and one thing bothers me (just) a little. Did you run the drive low enough on oil to cause a break in the upper then you only replaced/rebuilt the upper? Did they take the lower apart to inspect? (the shift dogs are in the lower)

I HOPE they didn't just slap the lower back on without having a good look at it. .......The lower and the upper share the same oil!

ANY Cobra that shifts into FORWARD but doesn't shift into REVERSE usually has a simple lower shift cable adjustment problem.....usually.

Out of the water it should shift easily into forward and reverse. (If you are not running the engine have someone turn the prop while you slowly and gently shift it into and out of gear. If you shift it into FORWARD, have your helper turn the prop backwards..... If you shift it into REVERSE, have them turn it forward. you'll feel it lock the "dogs"

If you turn the prop in the direction you're shifting, you'll feel and hear it "ratchet" as it approaches going into gear.

In the water it should go into gear easily but be fairly hard to get out of gear (torque on the doggies......they're undercut slightly to hold it in gear......hence the ESA is required to work when pulling back out of gear.....forward or reverse)


You may also just need a new lower shift cable.





Good luck.




Rick

I had some other problems with My King Cobra. I fixed it a different way.....

 

[aJohn79]

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

They [the shop] told me they inspected the lower unit as far they could. The oil level was just about 1/2 to 1" below the upper shaft bearing, so it was not that low.
Question for you. What other problems could there be that are not the shift cable. Specially after they claim it shifted properly at the shop after replacing the upper unit. Could it be the dog clutch?
I need to be well prepared when I go and discuss with the shop next week. I don't want them to blame it on other problems, when it is them that did not properly adjusted the lower cable. But, maybe, the problem is somewhere else and they are right.

 

[danond]

Re: OMC: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

They should be happy to prove that it's not their issue. I'd take it back and make it their issue to prove, not yours. When it works fine until they fiddle with it and their only response is "worked when it was here", that's pretty weak.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Shift problems in a Cobra are almost always the lower shift cable and/or lower shift cable adjustment.

It's possible that something internal is amiss but I would start with the adjustment and the cable.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Re: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

They [the shop] told me they inspected the lower unit as far they could. The oil level was just about 1/2 to 1" below the upper shaft bearing, so it was not that low.
Question for you. What other problems could there be that are not the shift cable. Specially after they claim it shifted properly at the shop after replacing the upper unit. Could it be the dog clutch?
I need to be well prepared when I go and discuss with the shop next week. I don't want them to blame it on other problems, when it is them that did not properly adjusted the lower cable. But, maybe, the problem is somewhere else and they are right.

100to1 it's the lower shift cable adjustment, if they tested the shifting while on land external cooling water it may have shifted fine, but in the water with a torque load is when shift cable problems show up.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Ask them if they properly set the shift rod height before they reassembled the upper & lower. If they didn't, then that could very well be the problem.

 

[aJohn79]

Re: OMC: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Ok, next chapter on this saga. They only replaced the upper unit (keeping the old lower unit) and claim they did not change the adjustments when they put it all back together. Does this make sense? Does the shift rod needs to be reasjusted if only the upper is replaced?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC: Won't shift into reverse after shop replaced upper unit

Let me put it this way. The shift rod has to be adjusted to the proper height prior to reassembly. But, who knows what they did & I'm not suggesting that they did anything wrong. But, the head of the shift rod has to be turned in order to split the 2 halves & to reassemble it or the head will be in the way. If someone is not familiar with OMC's then they may have turned the shift rod too far in or out throwing the adjustment off. Sorry, but the only way you will know for sure is to split the drive & take the measurement. Offhand, I don't recall exactly what the numbers are, but the figure can be found on the Hastings site. One thing is for sure, if the shift rod is out of adjustment it will never shift right.