4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

[Phish555]

When shifting from neutral into F or R, engine dies. Also dies when going from gear into neutral. If I shift really really slow, the engine will stay running, and once in gear, or once in neutral, it runs like a champ. Idle speed is about 650 according to the tach. I know there is some kind of kill switch that may need adjusting, but I thought Id post here first. What do you guys think?

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Time for a new lower shift cable.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

I know there is some kind of kill switch that may need adjusting, but I thought Id post here first. What do you guys think?

Ayuh,.....

That switch rarely to never needs Adjusting,.....

It's Usually a Lower Shift Cable that causes those symptoms,....
And,.....
Replacing it is the Fix.......

 

[Phish555]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Is that the shift cable that goes into the outdrive, and do I need to remove the lower unit to replace it?

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Yes, that is the cable, the drive removal is the easy part of the job. The shift cable takes the work.
Here is the OEM service manual.
Go to the outline and click on section 2A for drive removal, then section 4A for shift cable replacement.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf
While you are in there, I would strongly suggest you replace the ujoint bellows and shift cable bellows (really, everything that is rubber)

 

[cbavier]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Your Idle is set TOO LOW. It's suppose to be set at 700 - 750 RPM. Check your owners manual before replacing anything. Mine is a 4.3 185 HP Mercruiser

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Your Idle is set TOO LOW. It's suppose to be set at 700 - 750 RPM.

The OEM service manual calls for 650 - 700 rpm. (in fwd gear, in the water)

 

[cbavier]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

The OEM service manual calls for 650 - 700 rpm. (in fwd gear, in the water)

Don 650 is too low and anything over 750 is too high. Also he said about shifting slow. The book says to shift fast. The engine should almost stall between shifting. If he is shifting slow. It might be the combination between the two, slow Idle and slow shifting.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Don 650 is too low and anything over 750 is too high

Might be too slow for your engine, but I have set and run many V6's at that speed with no problems and they shift fine.
Mercruiser seems to want it at 650 -700 or they wouldn't have put it in the service manual.
Where did your information come from ?

 

[Phish555]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Guys, When I tried shifting normally, is when the engine dies, whether from neutral into gear, or from gear back to neutral.
I will bump the idle up a bit, closer to 700 (when in forward, in the water) and see what happens. If it still dies, I will assume it is the lower shift cable.

If so, what is it about the lower shift cable that causes these symptoms?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Ayuh,....

Mine idles a 600/650rpms,+ Shifts just Fine.....

If so, what is it about the lower shift cable that causes these symptoms?

The cable Drags,+ Doesn't release the cut-out switch....

 

[cbavier]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Might be too slow for your engine, but I have set and run many V6's at that speed with no problems and they shift fine.
Mercruiser seems to want it at 650 -700 or they wouldn't have put it in the service manual.
Where did your information come from ?

Don You said where? It's from my Mercruiser Service Manual. Mine was clunking so when I looked it up, the Idle was set too high. They had it set at 850. I turned it down to 750 and it was much better, no clunk. I could actually turn it down a little more. It's kinda hard to do when your alone in the boat running back and forth.

Bondo could be on to the actual problem. I just like doing things that don't cost me $ before spending any unnecessary money. Tite wad I guess. That's why I suggested he up his Idle a tad.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Is your service manual an OEM manual, or is it a Clymers or Seloc manual?

 

[Phish555]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Ayuh,....

Mine idles a 600/650rpms,+ Shifts just Fine.....


The cable Drags,+ Doesn't release the cut-out switch....

And that causes the symptoms be it from neutral into gear, AND, gear into neutral ?

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

If so, what is it about the lower shift cable that causes these symptoms?

As bondo said, they drag. Usually from wear or corrosion.
It's a very common problem. Mercruisers newest cables have a teflon coating on the inner cable that helps them last a lot longer (Not found on aftermarket cables) and they cost only a few dollars more than the aftermarket ones.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

And that causes the symptoms be it from neutral into gear, AND, gear into neutral ?

Ayuh,....

It Drags going Both ways....

 

[Phish555]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Is your service manual an OEM manual, or is it a Clymers or Seloc manual?

Don, my Clymer says 650 - 700 in gear!

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Don, my Clymer says 650 - 700 in gear!

Well, kind of refreshing to hear Clymers actually has some correct information in it.

 

[cbavier]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Sorry Don your right. I just looked it up and it says 650-700 RPM page 33
It says if the RPM is incorrect to. Disconnect Throttle Linkage from carburetor careful not to lose spacer and bushing. Start engine and place Control lever in FWD gear. idle position and adjust idle adjustment screw to obtain recommended RPM. Stop engine, readjust cable brass barrel to compensate for throttle movement and reinstall in reverse order. Be sure to tighten cable attaching nuts as outlined.

Well if it's stalling at 650 I sure would bump it up to 700 and try that first anyway. I actually adjusted mine two years ago and as I said only because the idle was too high (850) . Clunk, Clunk.

 

[Phish555]

Re: 4.3L mercruiser dies between gears

Well maybe Im at the low end, and bumping it up closer to 700 will fix the problem. I will give it a try.