1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

[Grant Brown]

I'm going to look at a boat and motor tomorrow. Sounds like a bit of a desperation sale - the guy is moving across the country and doesn't have the room to take it with him.
9 foot zodiac with wood floor and a 9.9 Johnson that runs good but won't go into gear. The guy sounds like he's got no mechanical skills so he's no help as far as what's wrong.
Oh yeah, he wants $200 for everything...

Grant

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

I'd take it sight unseen for that price. Is he moving this way? Tell him to bring it to Ottawa!

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Yes, he's moving to Ottawa. He's actually moving to your street!

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Maybe you'll get lucky and make an adjustment and get it shifting. Maybe it will become a parts motor, but $200 for a Zodiac that holds air is a steal anyway. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

I may have a set of gears for it.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Chances are someone didn't put in the shift linkage properly when last changing an impeller. *fingers crossed*

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Ahh yes, that is right. I made that mistake on my first outboard after doing the impeller.
I think that will be one of the first things I check.
DOes anyone know what the proper procedure for lower unit removal/replacement is?

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Six bolts on the leg, drop the lower unit enough (approx.1/2 inch) to remove the shift rod link bolt and it's off. Simple job really. Rick.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Checked my lower unit tonight (spare) if you need gears I have forward,reverse and the drive from the shaft and I'm in Ottawa so you wouldn't need to pay duty.

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Got it home. It's an ugly beast. Motor is spray painted black but the black is chipped everywhere showing white underneath...
I'm still going to try and get it working. Can't do much until the wife goes to bed though. She has no idea I went and bought more "junk" to work on...

Grant

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Thanks for the offer bktheking, I'll try all the easy/free stuff first and let you know.

Grant

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Pulled the L/U off this afternoon and see it's leaking gear oil - not good. It appeard to be coming out the water inlet holes...
The shift linkage wasn't even connected so the L/U came right off.
The shifter linkage in the L/U is bent on an angle - not sure if that's normal.
The prop spins freely and does not seem to be affected by the shift linkage in any way.
The shift linkage won't even move by hand at all.

I'm totally new to these things, any ideas?

 

[jay mendoza]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Were both bolts on the shift rod coupler? The bend you noted is supposed to be there. Remove the large drain plug (slot head) and the upper fill plugs and see if you have water or milky oil in the gear case. If you do, then you can flush the gear case with pre-mix fuel (50:1 is fine). Always replace the fill and drain bolt nylon washers and be sure to torque them real good or they will leak. Check with I Boats and see if they offer the lower unit/gearcase seal kit which has all the seals you will need. Do a search on my name as I just posted how I handled re-sealing my lower unit/gear case on a 1975 9.9hp, which is identical to yours. I do reccomend however that you try and get a copy of the service manual as it really helps you visualize what and where everything is. If you have an outboard shop nearby, they can pressure test the lower unit to find the leak, but it is academic if you can see oil leaking. Be sure however it really is gear oil, and not dark two-stroke oil from the exhaust.

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

It's definitely gear oil. I can smell it a mile away...
Both bolts are on the shift coupler but the top one was loose.
The 6 lower unit to leg bolts were fairly loose too - It looks like the L/U has been off recently.
I will drain it tonight but I'm not going to do any re-sealing until I can figure out why it won't shift.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

$5 says someone unscrewed the shift yoke pivot instead of the drain plug and now it's stuck in neutral. You should be able to get a nice clunk of the clutch dog engaging by pulling/pushing on the shift rod. If not, something is seriously amiss in the LU.

 

[Grant Brown]

Re: 1980's 9.9 won't go into gear?

Got it running tonight - fired right up and ran well all things considered. Definitely could use a tuneup.
iwombat - I was thinking about that - For future reference, how much should the shift rod move? I can move it maybe 1/2 and inch and don't really get any clunk or anything.
I drained the oil and it was milky and seemed to have grit or metal in it.
I'm thinking it's time for a new L/U.

I found a clean one locally for $200. What do you guys think?