Mercury 25h.p won't go in reverse

[chris grooms]

I have 1989 mercury 25h.p w/ electric start. It will go in forward and it will go to neutral but i can't get it to go in reverse what do I need to do?

 

[ehenry]

Re: Mercury 25h.p won't go in reverse

Have you had the lower unit off lately? Also, is the shifter in the tiller handle? Reason I ask this is theres a washer thats on the shift shaft that needs to be in place or it will cause what you are talking about.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Mercury 25h.p won't go in reverse

This happens on rare occasion if there's water in the gearcase and it freezes, but I see it once every few springs or so. Water freezes inside and forces the guts out the back 1/4". The shifter won't reach the reverse gear. Otherwise everything can work just fine. I doubt that's the case considering your location, but maybe? Easy enough to check. Push the prop forward. If it moves more than 1/8"...

 

[chris grooms]

Re: Mercury 25h.p won't go in reverse

Originally posted by efhenry:<br /> Have you had the lower unit off lately? Also, is the shifter in the tiller handle? Reason I ask this is theres a washer thats on the shift shaft that needs to be in place or it will cause what you are talking about.

 

[chris grooms]

Re: Mercury 25h.p won't go in reverse

yes, it shifts with the tiller handle, but I unhooked everything that makes it shift with the handle and tried to move shifter by hand and it still wont shift.