1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

[johnson426]

Hey guys I bought this 1986 90hp johnson seahorse used and installed it on my boat and took it out. Its been running good until yesterday, when I go to put it in reverse. It clicks until I pull it back all the way and then it grabs. Forward seems to go in perfectly without any clicking but all of a sudden the reverse starting to do this. It feels like its revving up too much before its going into gear causing it to click but I may be wrong. I new into boats and trying to learn. If someone knows or has an idea what it could be, that would be greatly appericated! thanks

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

You can't ease it into gear, it has to mesh on the fly. If you hear any grinding, it's the sound of your clutch dog wearing out prematurely. Shifting should be done quickly and decisively, with a satisfying "clunk"!

"...feels like its revving up too much before its going into gear..."
That right there sounds like a bit of a problem -- the throttle cable shouldn't move until after shifting is complete.
Does it rev up when shifting to forward as well?

Observe the linkages on the starboard side of the motor while somebody operates the throttle/shift control. You should see the shift lever move first, followed by the spark advance rod, followed by the carb throttles.

Do you have a manual?

 

[johnson426]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

It doesnt rev up when going forward, it clicks for a sec and goes into gear and goes faster as I push it forward but reverse I can be wrong because I dont think it revs up that much when im going into reverse. I just pull it back all the way to get it gear because I feel like im ruining somthing by letting it click. Is it possible that the cable for the transmisson needs to be adjusted ?

 

[johnson426]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

I did take the cover off yesterday and tried to look at it myself and seemed like it was going into gear first and then throttle started going up and I pulled it back but the reverse wouldnt engage until I revved it up high or it will just sit there and click louder and louder. Its almost like a car when you have a slipping transmission..It goes in gear but when I rev it up, it jerks and goes into gear..thanks for the help!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

It's either way out of adjustment or the clutch dog is worn out.
My 2 cents

 

[johnson426]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

Can the clutch dog wear out and get so bad all of a sudden ? my old outboard used to click alot but it would go into gear without pulling it back all the way

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

Can the clutch dog wear out and get so bad all of a sudden ? my old outboard used to click alot but it would go into gear without pulling it back all the way

Then check the cheap and easy things first. Could be adjustment and that is free !!!

 

[johnson426]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

yeah im gonna do that and hopefully it solves the problem!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

yeah im gonna do that and hopefully it solves the problem!

Good Luck and let us know.

 

[johnson426]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

I may be wrong because my lack of knowledge about boats but I was doing some research but is it possible to have a streached shift cable causing this ?

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

Like I said, it should "Clunk!" into gear without any grinding or clicking. Before any throttle cable movement. Observe the linkages to see what's happening when you shift.

If it's not in gear before the the revs start to climb, then you got a control box/cable/linkage issue. You need to see whether the shift cable is moving the shift lever all the way as far it goes *before* the throttle cable kicks in.

 

[johnson426]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

thanks guys for all the help, it needed to be adjusted and now it goes into reverse like butter! I spun it a good amount of times but is it possible to damage it like that ? Could I damage it from being pushed in so much ?

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

Any time you hear gears grinding, they're losing little bits of material, but if you broke a tooth or something, you'd know it. So you probably added a little extra wear & tear...don't lose any sleep over it, it's a tough machine.

You could always drain the gear oil, see if it's making metal. That oil should be changed annually anyway.

 

[johnson426]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

what weight oil should I use ?

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1986 90hp johnson seahorse...reverse clicking!!..please helpp!

should be marked "marine lower unit gear lube", i believe it's 80/90wt but use marine oil not automotive.

small amount of shavings on the drain plug magnet is normal. fill from the bottom, until oil comes out the vent hole on top. Those plastic pumps that fit the oil container, with a fitting that screws into your lower unit drain...well worth the $10.

should be changed annually.