1984 Evinrude 15 LU won't go into forwards

[andrewss]

Dropped the LU thinking the shift linkage had slipped, it hadn't, so I pulled it right off and manually tried to shift the linkage. Just like when it was on the motor it smoothly shifts from N to R but won't go into F. Rotating the prop does nothing.

Any thoughts?

 

[jitterbug127]

Will the flywheel spin with the lower unit off?

 

[andrewss]

Will the flywheel spin with the lower unit off?

Yup. Motor starts fine and runs in reverse no prob

 

[jitterbug127]

15 hp evinrude wont go forward!!! only reverse and neutral

I was out fishing and when I started the motor up it wouldnt go forward. The shift lever feels normal. Theres no unusual play in it and it works in reverse. It just wont go forward. There was no slipping or any problems before. It just alll of a sudden wont work. Any ideas??? The engine is a 15...

forums.iboats.com

 

[jitterbug127]

ended up being in the linkage of an old thread

 

[andrewss]

ended up being in the linkage of an old thread

I saw that thread when I was searching.

But in my case with the LU fully removed I cant push the shift linkage down to engage F, I can pull it up to go into R though. Pushing down shouldnt have anything to do with a stripped screw or the linkage brass coupler, right?

I'm thinking this might be down in the actually gear housing. like the shift yoke is damaged, maybe the dog clutch

 

[Crosbyman]

did anybody remove... and insert this bolt ???? it holds the shift lever which would have to be realigned . tricky but doable .


is this a new problem or a new to you engine that came with the problem. folks sometimes remove that bolt for an oil change :-(

 

[andrewss]

Oh F*** I bet that's it. It's one of 5 motors at my hunt camp and this started in 2023. I didn't hunt in November 2022 because we had a baby, so someone else did the LU gear oil before winter storage and I bet $100 they pulled that bolt thinking it was the drain.

Lol one of the other motors didn't get the fill plug washer put back on. And another had a lose spark plug. **** falls apart when the hobby mechanic (I use that term loosely) takes a year off.

 

[racerone]

Time to take the lower unit apart.-----These lower units are very rugged and easy to service.-----My opinion and some will argue that.----Install a seal kit as well.

 

[andrewss]

@Crosbyman yup that was it. Lol ffs.

 

[Crosbyman]

thanks for feedback... happy days are back.