Let me first state that I'm brand new to outboard repair, but I'm quite mechanically inclined so I expect to be able to pick up on it quite quickly. I'm telling you this so that in your responses I'd hope you write them assuming I know absolutely nothing.<br /><br />I was out in my boat this weekend and lost forward gear. After the motor had been off for a hour or so, we decided to move. I started the motor and threw the throttle into forward, there was a noticeable klunk from the motor and then no forward gear. Reverse still works fine. The motor's a 1990 150hp Force.<br /><br />With the throttle in forward, there's a barely noticeable ticking sound. At the time this happened out on the lake, all I knew to do was to check the cables from the throttle lever to the motor, and they appeared to be working fine.<br /><br />Once back home, I used a needle nose to pull on the linkages at the motor a little harder than the throttle cables do, and I was briefly able to get the motor to drop into drive.<br /><br />I'm guessing that whatever mechanism is used to drive the prop (gears probably?) is worn out just enough that it has finally quit engaging, except if I use a needlenose pliars to pull the linkage a little further than the throttle cable does. <br /><br />My best guess as of right now, using the little bit of knowledge I've gained thus far from this and other outboard motor bulletin boards, is that some gears are worn out in the lower unit. <br /><br />If so, how do you get at them to replace them, and where can I get the replacement parts? ANY help or suggestions would be HUGELY appreciated! Thank-you! Replies directly to my email would be easiest for me. w_huisman@yahoo.com<br /><br />I look forward to learning a great deal about outboards from this site!
