omc problems with gear slip

[Bobby G]

hello there,
I am new to this,its my first post, I have heard good things about this site so I thought I would register, I just purchased a 1988 seaswirl bowrider 5.7L chev OMC cobra.
I am having problems with the motor sliping out of gear it would seem, when I put it into gear and accelerate the boat will drive but make a thud and hesitate momontarily and will keep doing this the entire time it is in gear and driving.
now the boat will not even go in gear and you can hear the gears roll over each other, it only goes into reverse, I think it has a shift interupter or something to take the stress of the drive so it is easy to put in gear. not to sure though.

I am new to boats but have fair knowlegde of motors if any body could shed some light that would be appreciated.

cheers bob

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

Howdy,

Well, it appears that you might need to replace and/or readjust your lower shift cable.

A common problem for the Dog-clutch Cobra. If you're planning to do it yourself, you'll need to get an OEM OMC (after market manuals will just not cut it) service manual and read the info HERE

If you plan to take it to a marine mechanic, ensure that he/she knows about the "Hastings" info and will be using an OMC manual.

If you leave it the way it is, you may damage or destroy the drive.

Don't put a lot of money in the boat as is. It won't be worth it....


Regards,

Rick

 

[Bondo]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

I am having problems with the motor sliping out of gear it would seem, when I put it into gear and accelerate the boat will drive but make a thud and hesitate momontarily and will keep doing this the entire time it is in gear and driving.
now the boat will not even go in gear and you can hear the gears roll over each other, it only goes into reverse,

Ayuh,...

It sounds like it's been run long enough with a Bad Cable,..
That the Forward Gear,+ the Clutchdog are now Junk....

Soo,...
You need to Replace the Forward Gear, the Clutchdog,+ the Cable....
Along with all the Seals of course....

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

Agree.....First thing i would do is drain the gear lube..i bet its full of metal shavings..forward gears are probably gone...

 

[dufferb]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

First off welcome aboard.
Here's what I would do:
Facing the rear of the boat, righthand side, very bottom of the outdrive theres a drain plug with a magnet on the tip, remove plug to drain the outdrive. Look for any metal, water, or milky fluid.
While thats draining, righthand side where outdrive piviots you'll see some bellows, should also see a shift cable housing, could be black and look like a pigstail or could be red and somewhat straight.
Like they said, get a manual and print Stuarts instructions.
Do this and report back with your findings.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

Gary is on this one your in good hands.

 

[Don S]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

Facing the rear of the boat, righthand side,

Are you standing inside the boat, or outside the boat when facing the rear of the boat.
Being a boating forum, Port and Starboard always works. Doesn't matter which way you are facing. Port is port, and starboard is starboard.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

Are you standing inside the boat, or outside the boat when facing the rear of the boat.
Being a boating forum, Port and Starboard always works. Doesn't matter which way you are facing. Port is port, and starboard is starboard.

Exactly Don.....

The drain is on the Starboard side at the very bottom of the gear case...
If the gears are toast it would be cheaper to find a decent used lower than having a shop rebuild that one..
Either way the drive needs pulled,lower shift cable replaced and everything inspected.
I'm with Bondo on this one.Sounds like it was run to long with a bad shift cable.

 

[dufferb]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

I knew that was coming. Being his first post about his first just purchased boat my thought was on his problem. The terminology will come.
Not to be a smart a.... And please I don't want to get off on the wrong foot, I just didn't think he would try to drain the outdrive from inside the boat, but I guess anything is possible. Sorry. It was my first post.
I did give him a welcome aboard.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

Gary warn him about the forbidden screw that should never be removed.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: omc problems with gear slip

Gary warn him about the forbidden screw that should never be removed.

Really Chief!

The big flathead screw on the upper port side of the drive should never be removed.It is supposed to have a Cobra emblem covering it but they usually fall off.

To remove the drive:
Take 2 wrenches to the nuts that hold the trim rams to the lower portion of the drive ,remove the nuts and pull the trim rams off the shaft and tie them up out of the way.Push the threaded shaft out...it will need greased anyway.
Then remove the 6 nuts on the back of the upper part of the drive.
Have an extra person for this part.Give it a good yank and off it comes.

Best advice is to buy an OEM manual....worth its weight in gold and will step you through all of this.

Here is the exact manual..very hard to find,hence the high price! But it will still pay for itself many times over if you plan to keep that boat.

You can also email the seller,he may have a more used condition book for much less...tell him Gary in NC sent ya...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...70141332819QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature