Evinrude 35 HP stuck in reverse

[blindwillsee]

Please someone tell me I am off base. I have a 35 HP motor that was popping in out of gear into neutral for about a 1/4 second then popping back into gear. It did this in both forward and reverse, and at first only at higher speeds, then gradually at almost idle speeds. It then finally got stuck in reverse and wouldn't come out of reverse. It still ran and the boat was able to still move in reverse after being stuck. I am thinking that the reverse gear would still have to be partially ok and not stripped since it still worked, and the problem would most likely be in the forward gear. When you take the gearing apart wouldn't it be apparent which one was bad? The Evinrude mechanic I took it to here ordered all the parts for "replacing the gearing", not saying he was only replacing the reverse gears. Supposedly when he got the motor together again and ran it he found that the forward gearing was bad too. I have never tore the gearing in a boat motor apart, but it seems to me that if the gearing was that worn a good mechanic would have replaced all of it wouldn't you!?

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: Evinrude 35 HP stuck in reverse

Sounds like the clutch dog was going bad, and after continuing to run the motor it basically failed. The gears/dog have very close tolerances and generally have to be replaced as a unit when they go bad. New forward and reverse gears, and a new clutch dog are not an uncommon repair for older OMC's. It's not an 'eyeball' type of repair....the gear teeth are fine, but the engagement surfaces of the clutch wear out. No real shortcut available. Please extend my condolences to your wallet.