2003 125 questions

[BiXLL]

I have had a few boats in the past but never had an outboard. I have a couple questions about this motor. (2003 125)

First, when shifting to reverse I get what I consider a loud clunk, louder then what I think should be normal. I am running a 16 SS prop if that makes any difference. Is there an adjustment, or something that needs replaced to eliminate this noise? Idle is not too high, if anything it is slightly too low.

Second, my throttle is extremely tight, almost binding like. I have always had very easy moving smooth throttles in the past and I would like to correct this also. Is there an adjustment or lube procedure that would help this situation out or do I need to get new rigging?

 

[BiXLL]

Re: 2003 125 questions

cmon fellas, help a newbie out!

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 2003 125 questions

Cables and controls are quite comparable, feel should be almost identical.

How old are the cables? Worn cables can get very stiff. Disconnect the cables at the motor end and try the control, if it makes a big difference in feel, chances are the cable(s) are worn and in need of replacement.

Clunking into gear is often too fast an idle speed, or excessive play in motor mount bushings, allowing the motor/leg to move fore/aft.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: 2003 125 questions

Well I just got this boat a month ago from a 80 year old retired gentleman that really did not know much about his boat. I am going to assume the cables have never been changed so we are looking at 8 or 9 years. Is that old enough to need replacing, and is this a job I can do myself?

After doing some other research, I am starting to think I may also have a spun hub, would this possibly contribute to the loud clunking into gear?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 2003 125 questions

A spun hub will loose thrust and allow the motor to rev at higher throttle settings, it will not have any effect on shifting.

8 or 9 yr old cables 'can' be worn, especially if they have a lot of hrs usage.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: 2003 125 questions

The boat really was not used that much. Is there a way of lubing the cables maybe?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 2003 125 questions

Picture a solid SS wire inside a teflon tube,wrap that with a steel wire and coat the whole thing with plastic. The teflon is self lubricating, however, the solid control wire eventually wears grooves in the teflon at the contact points, especially at any bends. Pushing and pulling the wire slowly erodes the teflon so instead of a nice tube there are 'slots', each causing substantially more friction/drag on the wire, requiring a lot more force to make the wire move when under load.

Disconnect the cables to remove the load and they may feel just fine.

Don't believe it, replace them.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: 2003 125 questions

Ok, to replace them, do I go to a Mercury dealer, or are control cables universal?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 2003 125 questions

You will need cables for a Mercury... the clunk is normal for that engine as it is the non ratcheting 6 jaw unit. One other item that can make it clunk louder is the SS prop if it has the plastic hub, if not torqued to 125lbs it can clunk when shifting.

 

[BiXLL]

Re: 2003 125 questions

Thanks guys!