350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

[Steve91T]

Hello all, just got the boat out of storage. I had the shop rebuild the starter while it was there, and change all the fluids. I have always had a problem when shifting into forward and into reverse. Sometimes it kills the engine, sometimes it doesn't.

Engine is 95' EFI. Today, it cranked right up and ran great on the hose. I let it warm up while checking for leaks, then shifted into gear. I noticed a little more clicking to engage than I remember, but it seemed fine. Idle didn't change at all. I then shifted into neutral and it killed the engine while the drive clicked.

I did this a couple of times, and once it kept running in gear, every other time, it killed the engine.

I do remember this happening every now and then last summer while docking, and it's really annoying.

I've done some reading and from what I gather, this could be a shift linkage problem?

Thanks guys,
Steve

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

You are probably long overdue for a lower shift cable. Have a look at this thread. It explains the shift interrupt switch and how and why it works when it does. Makes it a lot easier to understand why I say you need a cable.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1930449#post1930449

 

[Steve91T]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

You are probably long overdue for a lower shift cable. Have a look at this thread. It explains the shift interrupt switch and how and why it works when it does. Makes it a lot easier to understand why I say you need a cable.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1930449#post1930449

I think you're right. Thank you.
Steve

 

[Steve91T]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

After reading that post along with others with the same problem, is it possible that it just needs adjusting instead of replacing? Sounds like that's something I'll have to mess with while it's in the water.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

a 17 year old cable that just needs an adjustment. Highly unlikely. considering the shift interupter should not be activating on land
you need a new lower cable.

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

is it possible that it just needs adjusting instead of replacing?

No, but it's fun to dream that it would.

The reason it stalls, is the cable is too stiff in it's movement. Not exactly something that is adjustable.

 

[achris]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

After reading that post along with others with the same problem, is it possible that it just needs adjusting instead of replacing? Sounds like that's something I'll have to mess with while it's in the water.

I have just one thing to add... Horses and water.... :facepalm:

 

[Steve91T]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

Does the drive have to come off?

 

[achris]

Re: 350 Merc Alpha one Gen II stalling in reverse....

Does the drive have to come off?

Yes.... But that's not a big job. 10 minutes tops...