1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

[gagjag]

I see quite a few postings with no reverse, but nothing with no forward. Took the boat out for a couple of hours the other night and everything worked fine as usual, we came home and docked it using neutral, reverse and forward to get it in position with no problem. Last night we hopped in the boat, started it up, untied it and put it in forward to pull away from the dock and nothing. The engine started to rev as I pushed the lever ahead, but no gear engaged. Pull the lever back and it slips into reverse with no problem, ahead just results in neutral and revving the engine. Any Clues?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

Bad lower shift cable.

 

[gagjag]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

Very strange, I just went down to the boat, removed the front of the cable from the shift mechanism, started the engine, pushed and pulled on the end of the cable and it goes into forward and reverse no problem. I then reattached it, and using the remote lever, it works fine too! Maybe the boat saw the wineglass in my hand last night and refused to leave the dock *S*.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

I wouldn't count on it working next time. The problem is that if the cable is marginal, you risk wiping out your dog clutches. If you do that, you may have a repair bill that is more than what your boat is worth.

 

[gagjag]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

Can the cable be changed with the boat in the water? The water is only past my knees at the back of the boat. Just deep enough that I can put the tilt down to check the lube level. The boat launch is a long ways away. If I take it out, that will be the end of our season.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

Drive has to come off. Has to come out of the water.

If you tilt the drive up, look at the cable housing where it enters the pivot housing on the starboard side. That is where they usually fail.

 

[gagjag]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

Thanx for all your help and the bad news, I'm going outside now, to cry in my whiskey.

 

[gagjag]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

Well after all that scary shi#, it turns out that all it was, was the screws that clamp the cable to the end, were loose and when the boat was cold, like last night, it was just enough to allow the cable to slip enough to not shift. It would work fine going into reverse, because it's pushing the cable. Tightened the screws to the recommended 15-20 inch pounds (laughing!) and away we go! Just because it's an 88 doesn't mean it's worn out!.......................actually this year it's a CLASSIC......25 years and still runs like a top.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1988 Bluefin OMC Cobra 2.3 No Forward

Great news!