88 150 evinrude sticking in gear

[Bruce San]

It's only happened a couple times but could be scarry! It has even started in gear. I first noticed it when I was flushing the motor after a day out. The binacle was in neutral but the motor was in gear. It happened again on the water. Happens both in reverse and forward. What should I look for? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[DJ]

Re: 88 150 evinrude sticking in gear

You've got a control problem, or a cable problem.<br /><br />Have someone operate the binnacle (ENGINE OFF) while you watch the cable end under the hood. Is there a lot of play in it?

 

[Bruce San]

Re: 88 150 evinrude sticking in gear

Thanks DJ. I hope to be able to take a look at it tonight or tomorrow night. ( the boss has been kinda unreasonable lately ) Say there is a lot of play in the cable.....is this something that's adjustable?

 

[DJ]

Re: 88 150 evinrude sticking in gear

Not usually. The ends sometimes come loose from the cable itself. If that's the case, the only option is replacement.

 

[Bruce San]

Re: 88 150 evinrude sticking in gear

DJ, I finally got a chance to take a look at this. The cable seems to work fine. It definately moves the linkage on the side of the engine. I had to do it myself so, I was watching it from the binnacle ( about 5 feet away ) After playing with it I started the engine on the flush and guess what...it was in reverse. I pushed the binnacle forward,way past the shift point and it clunked out of gear. The motor was running at the time at relatively low rpms because I moved the binnacle so fast the engine didn't have a chance to rev. The only thing I noticed that was not quite right was the point where the shift cable housing attaches to the side of the motor there is a keeper with a machine screw holding a knurled wheel that looks like it 's for adjusting the cable. the cable housing was loose under this keeper. It wasn't loose enough for the housing to pop out but I could jiggle it. I drained the lower unit and didn't find a milkshake or metal bits although the oil was VERY black. what's next? Again, thanks for your help.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 88 150 evinrude sticking in gear

You have a shop manual, right? Adjust neutral centering (it's explained in the manual.)

 

[Bruce San]

Re: 88 150 evinrude sticking in gear

Thanks Jim, I went out looking for a manual last night and could only find Clymers. I got the chance to look through one and wasn't impressed. In fact no where in that manual did they address Neutral adjustment. I think they were trying to cover too many motors in one manual. There was a short description of how to adjust a smaller HP shift handle. Know where I can get a good manual?