98 Evinrude 115 (E115SLECM) Not going into gear

[c6mcfall]

The boat has been setting for the last 2 years on the lift. Got it prepped to put back on the trailer, backed it out off the lift and went to put in forward gear and it's like it's in neutral

 

[saltchuckmatt]

The boat has been setting for the last 2 years on the lift. Got it prepped to put back on the trailer, backed it out off the lift and went to put in forward gear and it's like it's in neutral

Is the shift cable broken?

Or what's your question.

 

[c6mcfall]

The shift cable is not broken, when disconnected from the motor it seems to move normally. Sorry, seems most of my post didn't post..

The boat has been setting for the last 2 years on the lift. Got it prepped to put back on the trailer, backed it out of, and went to put in forward gear and it's like it's in neutral, reverse fine but not going into forward gear. It has the top mount binnacle and has always been somewhat stiff in shifting.
I pulled the shift cable off the linkage at the motor with the control in neutral and there was some obvious adjustment as it didn’t really line up properly. I did adjust it in a bit (5 turns) to line up with the motor in neutral and put it back on. Now it will go into forward gear but not reverse. I tried to adjust it a few times but no go. I did disconnect but I really could not get a grip on the linkage to see if it would shift by hand (no cable attached). Should it be easy to shift without the cable?

 

[saltchuckmatt]

The shift cable is not broken, when disconnected from the motor it seems to move normally. Sorry, seems most of my post didn't post..

The boat has been setting for the last 2 years on the lift. Got it prepped to put back on the trailer, backed it out of, and went to put in forward gear and it's like it's in neutral, reverse fine but not going into forward gear. It has the top mount binnacle and has always been somewhat stiff in shifting.
I pulled the shift cable off the linkage at the motor with the control in neutral and there was some obvious adjustment as it didn’t really line up properly. I did adjust it in a bit (5 turns) to line up with the motor in neutral and put it back on. Now it will go into forward gear but not reverse. I tried to adjust it a few times but no go. I did disconnect but I really could not get a grip on the linkage to see if it would shift by hand (no cable attached). Should it be easy to shift without the cable?

Well it sounds cable or binnacle related because you got it to go into both gears.

Motor should shift easy if it's running.

 

[c6mcfall]

Thanks, so when you say it should shift easily when it's running are you saying it will be difficult to shift when not running? Sorry just want to make sure I understand. I tried moving it with pliers with the cable disconnected but didn't want to force it and I can't really see the shift linkage below the carbs and it sucks working on the lift. I dropped the damn exhaust grommet in the canal putting a new starter in, not to mention a few bolts here and there. Got a nice collection of parts in the canal..

 

[racerone]

Motor should be running ( water on the impeller ) , or someone needs to turn propshaft when shifting.-----A simple concept much mis-understood !!-----Perhaps the shift rod height needs to be checked.-----It needs to be set to a specific dimension.

 

[racerone]

Shift rod is known to get tight in bushing of the shift rod cover.----Found on top of the gearcase.----Easy fix that is.

 

[Chris1956]

As Racer said, the shift rod can bind where it goes thru the shift pocket cover. However, this usually affects reverse, as the shift rod is pushed down for reverse. If your motor shifts smoothly, at the engine (prop being turned), the issue is shift cable or control.