1994 gen 1 Mercury 25hp outboard won’t go into reverse

[CraigRB]

the start of the season I put in a new prop shaft and propeller then started the boat with muffs in the driveway and it shifted into forward, neutral and reverse no problem but when I put it in the water it would not go into reverse it sounds like it wants to but it just makes a slight grinding noice. Forward to neutral works perfectly. After that trip I replaced both the shift and throttle linkage cables which still did not fix the problem. I also removed the lower end again to see if I was missing the washer that sits on top of the shift rod, which I found that it was still there. I’m lost for ideas now to why it won’t go into reverse. Any suggestions?

 

[flyingscott]

I don't know what you mean by gen 1. My guess is when you pulled the propshaft out the shifting cam slipped. That pin that stuck out of the back of the propshaft is what pushes on the dog for shifting. Behind that is the shifter cam attached to the shifter rod that pushes on tje pin to move the dog. You need to check there to make sure the cam is in correctly. The washer is only for the tilt lock.

 

[CraigRB]

Thanks for the feedback I’ve been trying to figure this out for a couple weeks now. Not positive either on what gen 1 means either, the boat part store is the place that brought Up gen 1 I think it’s just a reference for a range of years that the year of my outboard falls into. Ok that makes sense to me I guess. I will give that a try in the next couple days. Thanks again for the input I will give that a try

 

[flyingscott]

Gen 1 means nothing ,it does not apply to anything.All you need is your serial # for parts. If you are lucky you can fix it without taking it apart. Disconnect the shift linkage behind the carb. Now push the shift rod down as far as it will go, turn the prop while you are doing this. It should shift into reverse. Then you will need to sync your cables again.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

I saw they made a 1994 1/2 or mid year model.. Maybe gen 1 is a 1994 before the mid year change? Not that it matters as said.

 

[CraigRB]

Ok thanks guys. So when I push the shift rod down, do I push it down from where the shift linkage connects to the motor or by literally pushing down on the shift rod and if so do I remove the retainer pin at the top of the shift rod first before I push it down?

 

[flyingscott]

You can shift with the tiller to see how far the shift rod moves. Make sure you are turning the prop while.doing this.