HELP! Shifting problems........

[bschooley]

I've got a 77 Glastron i/O<br /><br />it starts wonderfully, but when you shift into forward, it pauses for a second, and then EXPLODES into forward - enough to send passengers scrambling for seats and everybody asking "What the hell was that?" I'm exagerrating, but it bangs into gear and every time it happens i'm worried about the tranny.<br /><br />1.) any ideas?<br />2.) my idea is low clutch oil? But where and how do I check/replace this?<br /><br />THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GUYS!!!!<br /><br />Ben

 

[tommays]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

what is your idle speed it should be around 650 rpm but you did not say what motor and drive is on your boat so it is hard to guess<br /><br />tommays

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

it's the original motor and drive - there was a handwritten note in the owner's manual that said Volvo outdrive. does this help? <br /><br />idle speed is perfect - you just slowly push it forward and it evenutally just jams into gear - it just doesn't feel healthy for the old girl!

 

[achris]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

What color is the outdrive? If it's black it's a Mercruiser and you'll get lots and lots of help. If it's grey, it's an OMC and you'll get a quite a bit of help. If it's light blue, it's a Volvo and you'll get a quite a bit of help. If it's any other color it could be a Yamaha or an old BMW, then forget it! I think Noah use a couple of those on the ark! We also need to know the engine. Is it a 4,6, V8? and do you know the horsepower?<br /><br />Chris...........

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

190 hp, V8, it's white, but the emblem on the inboard says OMC. anything else you need?

 

[placebo]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

How is the prop held on. Does it have a cone shaped nut that uses a tabbed lock washer. If so it is probably Volvo Penta.

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

it's a cone shaped nut.

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

yep, it's the volvo penta. Ok, so back to the shifting - any ideas?

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

First when you shift it into drive it should be a quick shift not slowly. When you shift slowly you are grinding gears. The faster you get the gears together the better. Even if you are the fastest shifter on the planet the drive will only let you shift as fast as it can take it. <br /> Second is are you sure your drive is locked down? If the drive is “hanging” and not locked at the bottom when you put it in gear its slamming against the transom plate when the thrust from the prop pushes it forward. If not that then it sounds like you have a serious internal issues with the outdrive. You not sure what type of drive you have may want to take to someone that does. As for the oil level. I have herd of people running those drives (old Volvo’s are tough as nails) half full or worse and still be fine (just cant figure why drive gets so hot ). I would check it but I don't think that is the cause of your problems even if it is low.

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

ok, how do I check to see if it's "locked down"......I'm a noob at this. it's a volvo penta outdrive.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

Put the drive all the way down (with the motor off) grab the drive at the bottom and see if it will lift up. If so its not locking. There is a spring lock at the bottom of the drive on the side that faces the transom that locks the drive to a bar (long bolt) on the transom shield.

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

what about the power trim? I don't quite understand - once it's all the way down, it's supposed to lock itself down? then how does it come up?<br /><br />how/where do I check the oil level for the tranny?

 

[placebo]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

When the tilt mechanism lifts the outdrive, it releases the latch by pushing down on the linkage first, then the outdrive can raise up. If it doesn't latch you will know it because when you put it in reverse the outdrive will come right up.<br /><br />The trim itself does not lock the drive down, but rather allows the latch hold it down until released. If you get a manual and read the section about 10 times, then look at your boat, it will all be very clear.<br /><br />I just replaced the shift cable on my boat because it would do the same thing you describe. When I would shift to forward, the engine would increase speed before the shift would happen, causing some less than favorable results. As stated above, fast shifting helps, but only if everything is working well. You probably need a new shift cable, or at the least, some adjustment.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

hello<br /> if it is volvo carefully check the outdrive fluid level. if its overfull it will cause a delayed shift cone engagement. but first you must positivly ID the drive. look under the drive and see if you see a ball or knuckle gear arrangement. look on the port side for a half moon shaped gear rack that is the tilt. you must ID the drive by other than color<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

ok - checked the tilt - it lowers ok, but I think it's stopping a little short (leaving enough room for it to bang into the transom when the prop starts) - and when you try to raise it, it wouldn't engage to lift until I manually lifted it myself, then it grabbed, and lifted. What would cause this? How could I adjust trim to make sure it fully locks in place.<br /><br />I'll work on the full ID of the drive.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

Sounds like it is the tilt motor, worm gear in the tilt mechanism, tilt limit switch or something like that or all the above. At this point it is time to buy a manual before you would ever know what we are talking about. What would cause it? Age, water, miss alignment.......

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

thanks guys - now, about this oil level. How the hell do I check it? I just bought a manual, should I wait for it to arrive, or can you guys walk me through it? by the way, as for ID, I can't do it - best I can do is tell you it's light blue.

 

[bschooley]

Re: HELP! Shifting problems........

ok guys - update - I've lowered the unit all the way down - it DOES snap into place, so it's not hanging, but it does have about a quarter inch of movement. Would this be enough to cause the thump as I shift into gear?<br /><br />BDS