Loss of thrust

[jbowden3067]

Just got the motor, a 76 Mercury 85HP. First time on the water. Started fine, but about 1/2 mile out, lost thrust, engine running fine, no forward, no reverse. Checked linkage, seemed ok, but selector would not go into full reverse, and engine would rev very high when I tried. Got ashore, tinkered with the selector, got it to go into gear, both forward and reverse. Suggestion on possible problem/solutions please?

 

[timmathis]

Re: Loss of thrust

Is the shifter stiff? loose? smooth? cable binding? etc.We will need more info. What kind of shift box? Thanks,Tim

 

[jbowden3067]

Re: Loss of thrust

Originally posted by Tim Mathis:<br /> Is the shifter stiff? loose? smooth? cable binding? etc.We will need more info. What kind of shift box? Thanks,Tim

 

[jbowden3067]

Re: Loss of thrust

The box is a "MerControl". When I first started, it was shifting relatively smooth. After it lost thrust, it was difficult to move toward reverse and wouldn't allow me to go completely into the full reverse position. Once I had gotten it out of the water, it seemed to shift fine, but even then, when I moved the selector into reverse, the RPMs would go up very high, so I would let off.

 

[jbowden3067]

Re: Loss of thrust

Is there a retainer of some kind in the lower foot that if it were missing would allow the shaft to slip out?

 

[timmathis]

Re: Loss of thrust

Pull cover and check where cable bolts to arm.

 

[jbowden3067]

Re: Loss of thrust

Checked all cable connections including cable bolts. All were tight. Took the boat out this afternoon. Same thing. Cut power and lefted the foot out of the water. Manually moved the propeller. It went back into gear for a while them came out again. That is why I wondering if there were a bushing or retainer in the foot that might be missing or loose.