Prop won't engage

[Jpalyo]

2000 25HP Mercury outboard runs great but prop will not engage? Engaged throttle without motor running (wires off plugs) and prop spins free and flywheel does not, shouldn't flywheel turn when I turn prop?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Prop won't engage

Welcome,
This is more likely a motor question for the Merc section.
Speaking generically::Hopefully you don't have a failed gearcase.Have you tried reverse?
If you look under the motor cover there is a shift advance mechanism and a throttle advance.If remote there may actually be 2 cables that actuate these.Note linkage changes as you advance the throttle.
Usually on Mercs if you rotate prop one way it makes a ratchetting noise the other way it turns the shaft/motor.

 

[Jpalyo]

Re: Prop won't engage

Well, I spent all afternoon troubleshooting. I noticed the control was only moving the throttle cable and not the fwd/rev cable. I unhooked the cables at the motor and manually engaged the lever into gear and the prop spun. So the control box is the culprete. I tore into it and could not figure out the levers and such so ordered a new teleflex control and hopefully the install won't be a nightmare.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Prop won't engage

its possible all you had was the controls backwards at the motor.