Check your control box lately?

[Mark42]

My Bayliner is now 25 years old. Been working on all the systems, making sure everything works just right. The last few times I was out on the water, I noticed the control lever seemed to have a "funny" spot that make an unusual clunk sound. So today the side panel came off to check out the side mounted control box. It says it was made in Japan, and is a reversible design, and convertible from a push throttle to a pull throttle.

So I took apart as much as I could, and found that there was some play in a piece of linkage that had a "wheel" riding in an S shaped track. There was no adjustment, and all the hardware is stainless. By fitting a very thin stainless washer on top of the existing one, the play caused by 25 years of use was taken up.

While it was apart, all the old grease was wiped off and fresh marine grease (I like the Evinrude/Johnson Triple Guard grease) applied where there was old grease.

Now it operates smooth, does not clunk, and is operating the engine mechanicals properly.

Its something that most boaters overlook when it comes to maintenance, and just a few minutes inspection can prevent problems out on the water.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Check your control box lately?

You didn't happen to snap any pictures of it while it was apart, did you?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Check your control box lately?

You didn't happen to snap any pictures of it while it was apart, did you?

Sorry, no pics. But the side panel isn't put back on yet (just got too dark out to work any more). So I can take a pic of the backside of the control, if that is a help.

BTW, I think this is a Morse unit.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Check your control box lately?

BTw, I was thinking about the problem with the control last night. I realized that the side panel was laid down flat when tested and adjusted. When it was having problems it was standing upright. So this evening the panel will be set upright (but not screwed back on) so I can watch the back side as the control lever is moved from neutral to full forward and back to full reverse. With any luck it will still move freely.

If it messes up while standing upright, I will know that there is something broke inside the section that is riveted closed. Will have to completely remove from the boat and put in the drill press to drill out the rivets to find out what is broke. Then the rivets will be replaced with bolts/nuts.

I hope it works. Have other stuff to do to the boat before the next trip.

PS, I really hate to break down on the water.

 

[Swe-Bayliner-89]

Re: Check your control box lately?

That is a really good tip, and yeah it can definitely be overlooked.

I changed from the original Force outboard to a Yamaha so I did open my new one to move the wiring from the old ignition to the new.

Same thought occured to me then - how many boaters do this?
Mine was in mint condition after 20 years luckily.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Check your control box lately?

I had to open my Morse control due to the trim/tilt not working....discovered broken wires where they wrapped around before leading up to the switches...luckily , there was plenty of extra wire so I could pull the bad section out and re-install without needing to splice...cleaned and lubed while I had it open....works great now !