1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

[EMW73]

I just bought a 15' duracraft Jon boat with a 1981 25 HP tiller mercury with electric start. The motor starts and runs great in forward and neutral. However it won't engage into reverse. Any help I can get on this would be very helpful. I'm tying to save myself a $400 repair bill from an outboard mechanic. Thank you!

 

[EMW73]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

I'm just wondering where to start looking for the issue and how to do it?

 

[racerone]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

Remove the lower unit and shift it by hand see if it will go into gear.-Likely needs a new impeller anyway.

 

[oldman570]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

As Racer states, you can remove the LU And replace the water pump parts as needed. At the same time you can remove the prop and remove the carrier barring and check the gears,clutch dog, and plunger and spring inside the prop shaft for excessive ware or broken parts that could be causing the trouble. You will need a manual to do the job correctly, and one can be bought here on Iboats or at some large auto supply centers and at most Merc dealers.JMO
Oldman570

 

[EMW73]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

Thanks for the info guys. I just so happen to have the manual for the motor so that will help! So I should go ahead and order a new impeller? If so what are some other things I should order and replace right off the bat? Thanks again guys!

 

[racerone]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

It might be as simple as adjustment on the cables.----But lower unit parts are expensive and it is a good idea to check this all out.-------I rarely find those impellers in good shape, so start by taking the lower unit off.

 

[EMW73]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

Ive been trying to find more information about taking the lower unit off on this 1981 Mercury 25HP Tiller with electric start,and I haven't been able to find much. What I have found is that people get hung up on something to do with the linkage before trying to remove the lower unit bolts. Will it show me the way to do it in the manual? I'm big on youtube videos but can't find one on my motor.Wish someone that knew what they were doing on here world post a youtube video!

Thank you!

 

[racerone]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

The shift rod needs to be disconnected just below the carburetor, might help to take starter out of the way.--Also the reverse lock bracket on the shift rod needs to be removed.--------Just a screw driver needed to swivel the pin retaining bracket out of the way to disconnect shift rod.-Easy after you do this the first time.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

Maybe you can make a YouTube video of your repair and be the guy that everyone with that motor and problem sees......

 

[EMW73]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

After looking when I got home from work all I have is a parts manual. So I will need to get a maintanence manual before diving into this. But I do appreciate the info racer! And BatDaddy I wouldn't trust myself with making a video for others to follow.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

You NEED an OEM Service manual. Pull the hood off and see if the cables are working properly for starts.

 

[EMW73]

Re: 1981 Mercury 25HP tiller,No reverse?

I pulled the hood and worked the tiller forward,neutral,and reverse. The shifter linkage was moving back and forth so I'm still not sure if it just needs to be adjusted or is there is a bigger problem. I haven't heard it run yet with it being so cold here in Michigan but I want the get it running and try and adjust the linkage and see if that's the problem before pulling the lower unit. I just talk to the previous owner yesterday and he reminded me the carbs were rebuilt this past summer and the impeller was replaced as well. So if I don't have to pull the LU,I'd rather not!