87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

[chevinrude]

Hi all, thank you in advance for everyone's assistance.

My challenge with my outboard is that when shifting into reverse, there is grinding and ultimately no shift to reverse. The throttle will go up, but no engaging of reverse. When I run the motor with muffs, it shifts into reverse without any problem at all. Under load (either on the water or motor submerged in a tank) the problem persists...

Does anyone have any idea as to what this issue is?

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

How old are your cables? It could be that they are stretching a bit and you have lost some of the action needed to push or pull the shift lever Try adjusting the shift cable under the hood. The adjuster is located on the end of the cable at the attachment point on the engine.
Have you checked the lower unit oil?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

Agree. First thing is to try to manually shift under the hood. Could be as simple as an adjustment.
Go from there. Post back before spending any money !!!!
Welcome to iboats.

 

[chevinrude]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

Thanks for the replies!

I am the 3rd owner of the motor, so I couldnt tell you how old the cables are. I tried manually shifting into gear and it "bounces" or grinds right at the motor. Lower unit oil is brand new, I just changed it. I usually change it twice per season.

My biggest fear is that it is a worn clutch dog, but how hard/expensive would that be for me to do myself?

 

[chevinrude]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

Oh and I forgot to add that reverse was working when I first purchased the boat, and on one river cruising day, it went from working to not. Not sure if that helps :/

 

[chevinrude]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

Ok, update....

I removed the cable and attempted to engage the reverse gear manually. Didnt work, still grinds. Doesnt engage fully. Does spin prop but not with enough power under load. It really sucks without reverse, I would love to get it fixed.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

Ok, update....

I removed the cable and attempted to engage the reverse gear manually. Didnt work, still grinds. Doesnt engage fully. Does spin prop but not with enough power under load. It really sucks without reverse, I would love to get it fixed.

Sounds like you have got to get in that lower unit and find the issue. OEM manual will be a big help.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

You will need to reset the height of the shift rod to specifications. Hopefully, the dog still has its ears.

The long shaft setting is 22-13/32"
Extra long shaft is 27-13/32"

This is measured from the mating surface of the gearcase to the center of the hole at the top of the shift rod, with the unit in neutral.

 

[chevinrude]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

You will need to reset the height of the shift rod to specifications. Hopefully, the dog still has its ears.

The long shaft setting is 22-13/32"
Extra long shaft is 27-13/32"

This is measured from the mating surface of the gearcase to the center of the hole at the top of the shift rod, with the unit in neutral.

I have the OEM manual.... how difficult is it to reset the height of the shift rod?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

You already did the hard bit, you have an OEM manual. Screw in or out and measure.

 

[chevinrude]

Re: 87 140hp V4 VRO reverse grinding

You already did the hard bit, you have an OEM manual. Screw in or out and measure.

Is that in the engine or in the midshaft/lower unit?