1998 4.3GL VP SX Slipping

[Jprevat]

So my boat was running great all day until I came off of plane and started high idling for 20ish minutes. Then I felt three bumps at irregular intervals over the course of a couple of minutes.

I accelerated to 35mph and drove without incident for 30ish minutes until I made it home.

I pulled the cover on the leg to check the linkage. Everything was intact but when the forward gear was engaged there was a little play. I tightened the brass fitting and jam nut one full turn and now it is nice and tight with no play.

Could it really have been that simple? BTW the fluid is at the right level and looks nice and clear.

What do yall think?

 

[saaristo]

So my boat was running great all day until I came off of plane and started high idling for 20ish minutes. Then I felt three bumps at irregular intervals over the course of a couple of minutes.

I accelerated to 35mph and drove without incident for 30ish minutes until I made it home.

I pulled the cover on the leg to check the linkage. Everything was intact but when the forward gear was engaged there was a little play. I tightened the brass fitting and jam nut one full turn and now it is nice and tight with no play.

Could it really have been that simple? BTW the fluid is at the right level and looks nice and clear.

What do yall think?

Can't figure out what brass fitting did you tightened? Little play in the prop?

 

[dypcdiver]

Gear

Can't figure out what brass fitting did you tightened? Little play in the prop?

Gear change cable adjustment.

 

[saaristo]

Gear

Gear change cable adjustment.

Aha. On mine (DPS-A) for example you can't fine tune the linkages so that everything is synchronized beautifully - meaning that when you push your remote to gear then there would be no play on the actual "gear lever" below the cover. It's either a little play on both reverse and fwd or lots of play in either one. It's just doesn't tick both boxes.

 

[Jprevat]

I should have been more specific. I adjusted the gear select cable end. I really hope that solves it but I'm going to change the gear oil anyways just because.

What are yall running? Straight 90 weight?

 

[Horigan]

Use Volvo Synthetic 75W-90.

I adjust my shift cable by putting it in neutral and adjusting the brass block so it drops into the mechanism easily. I've added small metal washers to the joints of the mechanism to take out the linkage slop.

 

[Jprevat]

Thank for the info. If you have a picture of your setup I would love to see it. Mine slips right out at neutral once I pull the cotter pin so I'm hoping it is correct.

 

[Horigan]

Here ya go. I used washers and a zip tie to take up the lateral slop.

 

[Jprevat]

Here ya go. I used washers and a zip tie to take up the lateral slop.

View attachment 339303

Thank you so much for taking the time to send that pic my way. I will definitely be taking a closer look at tightening my whole linkage up.