Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

[MidwestMonaco]

I just changed out the impeller and got it all put back together but now the boat dies as soon as I try to put it into gear. Even when the motor isn't running it still won't go into gear. <br />(Alpha I drive)<br /><br />What the heck did I do wrong during reassembly?<br /><br />I thought I followed the service manual but obviously I screwed something up!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

My guess is that you didn't make sure that the lower was locked in fwd or you left out the washer that sits on the shift shaft in the lower gear case or both. Look at the underside of the drive where the shift(bell housing side) meets the drive. Are the two firmly engaged? If they are not you have left out that washer. With both helm and drive in fwd you should have minimal play up & down.....JK

 

[MidwestMonaco]

Re: Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

So the helm should be in fwd when I take off the lower unit? <br /><br />The upper and lower unit seem to be completely engaged together, it looks the same as before I took them apart. <br /><br />I can spin the prop by hand but it feels like something is loose inside and tries to catch while turning the prop.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

Helm in fwd, Yes. Did you just take off the lower half or your drive ? Yes again, right? You need to take it back off & turn the shift shaft cw & the prop ccw until it locks into gear. You cannot let it come out of gear or it will not work. Duct tape would be very helpful for this. Now, with the helm in fwd put them back together. Make sure you have put the flat washer on the shift shaft. You may have to rotate the prop ccw slightly to get them to engage. Do not force them together.......JK

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

I agree with J K ,the lower unit was not in fwd when you put it back together.And yes,the shifter has to be in fwd when taking off the drive and installing.The drive itself must also be locked in fwd and the lower must first be in fwd before mating it up with the upper.Sounds like you better get a manual and take the drive off and start all over.Charlie

 

[rattana]

Re: Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

Check out this site http://www.mercstuff.com/waterpumpinst.htm

 

[MidwestMonaco]

Re: Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

I got it! I put the lower unit in drive and the helm in drive and after a couple of tries they mated right up and shifted with no problems.<br /><br />I'm headed out to the lake!<br /><br />My deepest thanks to all of you

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Boat won't go into gear! What did I do wrong?

Always glad to see a happy ending. You really should get yourself a factory manual though....There's lots of info therein.....JK