Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to help?

[beason]

I took the boat all the way to somerville this past weekend, and once we got there we realized we could not use reverse. The engine would die every time. After some research on here, i am guessing it is out of adjustment, or possibly needs to be lubed. I am VERY new to working on boats but willing to learn. Would anyone be willing to help me? i live in the clear lake area SE of houston.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to h

there is no lubrication schedule for shift cables

it is possible an adjustment could help you, but...

more likely the lower shift cable needs to be replaced

 

[beason]

Re: Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to h

I looked at a few diagrams on here, and i thought i had an idea of how it worked, but once i looked at mine i am even move confused. I have it on the muffs. and forward works perfect. reverse however, it bogs, stalls, and/or backfires. the linkage seems to move the same both ways.

 

[Riegfrghtl]

Re: Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to h

Get your self a mercruiser manual and like dudbs said more than likely its the lower shift cable!

 

[beason]

Re: Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to h

the lower shift cable would cause it to backfire?

any idea where i can get the manual?

 

[searay3]

Re: Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to h

When the shift cable is worn out it activates the shift interrupt and kills the engine. (stumbles the ign/engine). It allows the drive to come out of gear under load. Up in the adults only section at the top of the forum has a section that explains the interrupt, and under mercruiser info you can scratch up a manual.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to h

the lower shift cable would cause it to backfire?

any idea where i can get the manual?

if the shift interrupt is only partially engaging or "stuttering" that could cause temporary bogging/backfire

a manual would depend on what type of drive you have MC-I, alpha, or gen II

 

[beason]

Re: Having an issue with shifting to reverse, anyone in the houston area willing to h

it is a merc 3.0l with an alpha one outdrive.