Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

[Boatdrinks]

Hi guys...this is my first post I have made here. I have been "lurking" in the shadows and reading the posts for some time, but couldn't find an answer to the problem I am having. I have a 1986 Regal with a 5.7L coupled to a mercruiser alpha 1 gen 1 "leg". The problem I am having is the unit jumping out of gear and back into gear. It is an intermittent problem that has been going on for about a year. The unit shifts great into forward, netural and reverse. Good solid shifts. It's just that once in a while it will jump out and back into gear really quick. Kind of like a "klunk". Just one "klunk" once in a while. I wasn't really worried about it until this past weekend...we were out on the water doing some watersking and stuff...which require hard takeoff's. I would shift into forward and wait a few seconds before punching it, just to make sure that it wouldn't "klunk" under power. Well..you guessed it...I waited a few seconds...gave full power...and had the worst "klunk" yet...under full power. It really made me feel sick, you know? The boat seems fine...everything is still working as it should. We kept on the water for several more hours and I had no more issues. The question is...what do you guys think this is? There are no other noises...everything is smooth as silk and it is a real sweet boat. I just know that that "klunk", especially under full power, is not a good thing. Any suggestions? Oh...and BTW...I am a relative newbie to the mercruiser...this is my first one. But I do have to say that I love it dearly! Thanks guys....

 

[Trent]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

First thing I would do is check the lower shift cable adjustment.<br /><br /> web page <br />or<br /><br /> web page

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

The shift dogs on the clutch and forward gear are probably rounded over which won't allow the gear and clutch to hold together.<br />You can try adjusting the cable, and if the cable is stiff moving it should be replaced, but once the shift dogs round over, replacement is the only repair.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

I've never heard of a Bad Cable causing this Symptom..........<br />I think a Bad Cable might have caused the Problem..... But not the symptom.......<br /><br />My Guess is that you need the have your Outdrive Rebuilt..............<br /><br />Good Luck....

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

It probably is not this simple but make sure your drive fluid level is full.When you are loosing gear lube and the level drops the o/d will clunk and not go into gear smoothly and jump in and out at idle speed.Charlie

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Thanks for the thought there Charlie, but the drive oil is all good. I changed it a couple of months ago and what came out looked really good. I guess I am going to check out the shift cable adjustment and go from there...

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

I didnt mean that there was anything wrong with the oil,you just have to make sure that what you put in comes out in the same amount..As I stated before,if there is less oil than required ,it will jump in and out of gear.Charlie

 

[outboardguy]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Does it only clunk after you use reverse? The reason I ask this is that the check valves in your power trim unit could be leaking pressure in reverse, letting the drive go up a little and when you put power to it in forward it will clunk down to it's lowest trim point.

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Charlie: I get ya...the amount coming out. I will check on that one...maybe top it off before the weekend and see if it is low now. But I haven't noticed any leaks so I am not sure..

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Outboardguy: You made me think for a minute about that one. I thought of a time when I was off shore doing some reef fishing last weekend. When I left after being anchored for a few hours, I got a clunk. I didn't go into reverse before I left and I had the stern drive all the way down because the seas were a little rough on the way out. I wish I could say it was the trim...good thought there though!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

BD,you dont have to notice a leak for there to be one.A perfect example is when the ujiont seal leaks,it goes right into the bellows and you DONT notice until you pull the drive.Happened to me this season!!Charlie

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Yikes...I didn't think about that...I will check it later this week...top it off and check what comes out the bottom plug. You got me curious now...

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

If thats what you are going to do then dont top off.Drain it completely and measure in empty quart oil containers the exact amount that comes out .Refill the drive and compare the amount that came out to what it took to fill it.Should be about a quart and a 1/4 to 1/2.Charlie

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

BoatDrinks Unless your boat has a remote resevoir for the outdrive (which I doubt,as it was an accessory back in the '80 s).......<br /><br />Tilt the drive to full down.Remove the oil level plug on the upper port side of the drive.Oil should be level with the bottom threads of the plug hole.<br /><br />Alpha 1 oil capacity is 32 oz.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Do you have any kind of a manual, or are you trying to work on your boat blind and without a clue?<br />Here is the Mercruiser service manual for the Alpha I drive.<br /> Service Manual #6

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Don, I am kinda shooting in the dark. I have a manual that came with the boat, but it doesn't cover anything major..just oil changes and lube points and stuff like that. That link was just the index to the manual. Do you have the rest of it? It sure looks like it would help a lot... Thanks!!!

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Boatdrinks, I think there may still be some merit to "outboardguy"'s comments with regard to a failing trim valve... When you were sitting off shore with the drive all the way down, it is actually beyond vertical... sitting there rocking in the seas for some time may have allowed the drive to creep out to just vertical by gravity and the rocking and rollng of the boat. <br /><br />Sometimes the leaky valve problem may be such that even a quick slow down may put sufficient drag on the drive to force it "up" (rearward) so the next time you "hit it" it clunks...

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Just run your cursor over the index page, when you see the cursor change from a hand to an index finger that indicates a link.<br />An example would be section 1. Move the cursor over the A,B, or C and watch it change. Same thing happens over the other sections.

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Thanks, guys....I haven't had a chance to check anything yet and here it is Friday...not good! I will let you know what I find... Don, I gotcha now on the manual...duh! Thanks a lot for that one...one picture is worth a thousand words!

 

[Boatdrinks]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 1 jumping out of gear

Don...you wouldn't happen to have a link for my engine would you? 5.7L GM ? Your the best...