1993 OMC Cobra not shifting into reverse

[driftwood]

Ok I have a 1993 four winns 5.8 liter with OMC cobra outdrive. I had a water pump issue replaced pump brought it out no heat issues but I lost reverse when I pulled the outdrive I found 2 large chunks of melted balls and part of a round rubber gasket. I believe this was blocking the shift cable other than no reverse I had no other issues after replacement of the Water pump. Any idea what these melted balls of plastic are from?

 

[Lou C]

The exhaust flappers in the Y pipe...
In a bad overheat you can also melt the inner part of the thrust plates on the drive and the guide tube for the water tube in the outdrive.

 

[skippy2235]

When you say not go into reverse, do you mean on trailer on in the water.
If on trailer, makes sure the cable is not binding and has the 2.5 to 3 inches of total movement. From memory, I think it is 1.5 for FWD, and 1.5 Reverse.
If in the water under load, make sure your ESA is working. Electronic Shift Assist. This makes the engine stumble and allows cogs / gears to disengage while under load.

 

[bruceb58]

You likely have a failed lower shift cable.

 

[Lou C]

Or you are not getting = travel when shifting into each gear . A lot of people don't realize that the remote control cable that goes from the shifter to the bell crank on the engine bracket also has to be adjusted when doing the transom cable. This is as important for proper shifting but is often over looked...
3 major adjustments:
Shift rid height
Transom shift cable
Remote control cable
ESA must work

 

[bruceb58]

ESA doesn't have to work to get into gear though.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Ok I have a 1993 four winns 5.8 liter with OMC cobra outdrive.

Howdy,

It might be helpful if you indicate exactly which model you have.

If your boat is a "93" model, you could have either a 93 or a 92. Shown below are the models available in 92 & 93 and you could have any one of them.

Some of both years were Dog-clutch (with an Electronic Shift Assist Module [ESA]) and some were cone-clutch (NON-SX) models that used the EFI module to do the Electronic Shift Assist.

584APLJVB 1993
584APRJVB 1993
584DPEJVB 1993
584DPPJVB 1993
58FAPEJVB 1993
58FAPLJVB 1993
58FAPLJVN 1993
58FAPPJVB 1993
58FAPRJVB 1993
58FAPRJVN 1993
58FBPEJVB 1993


584APLAMH 1992
584APLAMK 1992
584APRAMH 1992
584APRAMK 1992
584DPEAMH 1992
584DPEAMK 1992



While both models have lower shift cables, the shift bracket is different from one to the other.

If in the water under load, make sure your ESA is working. Electronic Shift Assist. This makes the engine stumble and allows cogs / gears to disengage while under load.

In a Dog-Clutch Model, the ESA does not (and should not) activate going into gear. It should only activate coming out of gear AND only when the boat is in the water. It'll usually NOT activate if you're shifting with the boat on the trailer.

With a Dog-clutch model, if the shift plate moves enough to activate the ESA, while going into gear, (or on the trailer) the lower shift cable may be dragging or there may be binding internally in the drive.

If you want to be able to work on yours, you need to identify what you have and obtain an OEM manual for it. SELOC or Clymer probably won't cut it.

Regards,


Rick

 

[Lou C]

Right ESA is only to get the dog clutch to release under load. Just replaced my 28 yr old switches and ESA (o e one finally quit working ) I got one from CDI Electronics it works perfect.
Last point crud behind the bellcrank in the pivot housing can inhibit shifting. Once you get it all right it will shift with 2 finger pressure; mine has for years...