Shift Cable Leaking Water???

[daboys72]

Replaced the lower shift cable and now see water leaking out of the protective sheathing around the cable on top of the engine. Can someone tell me what is wrong??

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Shift Cable Leaking Water???

If its a Mercruiser you forgot the water passage o-ring when you put the drive on. 'nutcase

 

[JustJason]

Re: Shift Cable Leaking Water???

the seals and bushings in the shift fork are bad

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Shift Cable Leaking Water???

outdrive mounting gasket missing/damaged

 

[renny1]

Re: Shift Cable Leaking Water???

any of the above???

 

[bajuski]

Re: Shift Cable Leaking Water???

You don't specify but it sounds like it is leaking on muffs? Mine was leaking the same way. Either you damaged the water passage o ring or the mounting gasket allowing water pressure to enter the shift cable cavity and water is being pushed up the cable!
If the shift shaft bushing was bad it would allow water to enter the cavity and cause corrosion problems but it wouldn't have the pressure to get pushed up that high!

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift Cable Leaking Water???

If the shift shaft bushing was bad it would allow water to enter the cavity and cause corrosion problems but it wouldn't have the pressure to get pushed up that high!

You may have to try and explain that to a couple of my customers after I replaced those bushings and seal and the leak from the shift cable on the engine stopped. There is enough exhaust pressure to force water up the shift cable.