Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

[dwelf]

I did quite a bit of work this spring and winter to my boat including putting on a new teleflex controller,changing out my bellows and a new gimbal bearing. I have had the boat out twice since then with no problems. After letting off the gas and coming to a stop to re arrange a cooler i went to go back in for the day and my boat would not go in to gear. Pushing forward and backward the engin revs up but wont go in forward or reverse. no clicking noise or anything. I figured my drive cable broke either from the controller or the outdrive but both were moving back and forth and i tried to pull the drive cable to the outdrive with pliers.. it moves but doesnt feel like it it doing anything. It is not broke because i cant pull it out other than the few inches it should move. Does anyone have an idea on where to start troubleshooting this problem?

Thank you for all the help in these forums. I have learned everything I know here. I dont post much because I can usually find my problem by doing a search.

I have a 92 mercruiser 4.3LX. It is Alpha One.. Not gen II

 

[Don S]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

Raise the drive up and look at the shift shaft and have someone shift the control (Engine OFF). Do the shift shafts move?
Might also check the coupler, start the engine, does the shaft going from the coupler to the drive turn with the engine?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

While you are looking, check that the top of the intermediate shift shaft (coming up from the gearhousing) is firmly seated in the coupler of the upper shift shaft.

 

[dwelf]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

Don,

Thank you for the quick response. I did both things you asked.

The linkage is moving down by the speedometer cable. it is all the way port in reverse. in between port and straight ahead in neutral and pretty much straight ahead in forward.

Now the bad news.. I started the engine and my drive shaft is not moving with the engine running so does this mean my coupler or spline on my shaft it too worn? I noticed after i changed my gimbal bearing and used my tool to align my engine there were not very defined tooth marks in the grease at the end of the tool now that i think back on it. Is there a way to tell which one is bad or am i completely off base here? Thank you

 

[local825]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

I have a Alpha One this is a easy fix, you will need some one to spin the prop while you ajust the shift cables. there is an exact measurement from the brass nut on the cable to the place where the cable goes I have the manual for mines IF you need i can look up yours or try to google your engine.

 

[dwelf]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

While you are looking, check that the top of the intermediate shift shaft (coming up from the gearhousing) is firmly seated in the coupler of the upper shift shaft.

Thank you for the response. They are firmly seated into each other.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

Now the bad news.. I started the engine and my drive shaft is not moving with the engine running so does this mean my coupler or spline on my shaft it too worn? I noticed after i changed my gimbal bearing and used my tool to align my engine there were not very defined tooth marks in the grease at the end of the tool now that i think back on it. Is there a way to tell which one is bad or am i completely off base here? Thank you

Sounds like the proverbial "smoking gun". I'll be following this to learn what I can.

 

[dwelf]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

I have a Alpha One this is a easy fix, you will need some one to spin the prop while you ajust the shift cables. there is an exact measurement from the brass nut on the cable to the place where the cable goes I have the manual for mines IF you need i can look up yours or try to google your engine.

Is this the right fix even after i posted my results that my drive shaft is not spinning with my engine? It seems like to me if your drive shaft is not spinning with the engine running it would not matter what else you did.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

Is this the right fix even after i posted my results that my drive shaft is not spinning with my engine? It seems like to me if your drive shaft is not spinning with the engine running it would not matter what else you did.

No this is not the right fix. You need to pull the drive and look at the coupler through the gimbal brg with a flashlight.
If you are seeing the shaft correctly your engine coupler is bad, pull motor replace coupler.

James

 

[dwelf]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

No this is not the right fix. You need to pull the drive and look at the coupler through the gimbal brg with a flashlight.
If you are seeing the shaft correctly your engine coupler is bad, pull motor replace coupler.

James

Thank you James. That is what I thought. And a big thank you to the rest of you for your input. Especially Don for putting me in the right direction troubleshooting. I have had the engine out a couple times. The coupler is not a big deal.

Rob

 

[dwelf]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

Anyone know if I should just pick up one of these on ebay or of I should get the half shaft too. The entire kit?

 

[achris]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

If the shaft is in good condition, then you don't need to replace it. When you said you've had the engine out, did you pull the drive first, and check the engine alignment before you put it back on?

 

[dwelf]

Re: Got Towed:Mercruiser Not Going In To Gear?

I did pull the shaft out first.. Each time. I have had the engine out 5 times (Long Sad Story) I did not purchase the alignemnt tool until i replaced the gimbal bearing that went bad because the bellow went bad. I guess to clarify my question.. I see the new engine couplers have a shaft coming off of the femal spline (Engine Side) Does this long shaft prevent the coupler from wearing out at all with slight misalignment? is that its purpose? or should i just get one like my old one..identical in every other way except that long shaft coming out of it that the drive shaft goes in to?