Gear shift problem

[tich]

Hi Gents!<br />Managed to get my boat on the wet stuff at the weekend to try out the old bigtwin for the first time. Everything was fine except that when I put it into forward gear it kept jumping in and out of gear. Thinking that when I pushed the control lever forward it was not pulling the shift lever forward enough I adjusted the gear shift cable so that it was slightly shorter. This did, almost solve the problem but not completely. About every 5 or 6 seconds it still jumped, just the once, as if coming out of gear. I have no more adjustment on the control cable so that is not an option. If I disconnect the cable from the gear shift there seems to be a fair amount of loose play in the gear shift. Could that be the reason for the problem or is there another cause that I should be investigating? <br />As always any help would be very much appreciated. <br />Regards<br />Tich

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Gear shift problem

Check the cable very carefully. If a clamp came loose at either end or the outer part of the cable is broke, it could be be moving instead of the inner cable.

 

[tich]

Re: Gear shift problem

Both ends of the cable are firmly fixed and the outer cable is ok. I think Ill start by finding the cause of the loose gear shift lever and take it from there.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Gear shift problem

What happens if you dissconnect the shift cable, and manually select forward with the lever on the side of the engine?

 

[tich]

Re: Gear shift problem

With the cable dissconnected it appears to be ok. Although I have only done so in a test tank.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Gear shift problem

If it still pops out of gear and is mechanical shift, you're probably looking at replacing the forward gear and clutch dog in the LU.

 

[tich]

Re: Gear shift problem

OK. Now I have something to go on Ill delve deeper. Thanks Chaps.

 

[itstippy]

Re: Gear shift problem

The gear shift should not have loose play in it manually. The shifter lock should make for sure, positive positioning of reverse, neutral, and forward. You are correct: find the cause of the loose gearshift lever and go from there.<br />You can't adequately tell if the clutch dog/forward gear mating has gone bad by shifting manually in a test tank. You need do get it out on the water at the same speed it was at when it was jumping when the cable was connected. Recruit a buddy and take it out for a spin. A circular spin not too far from the dock!