Mercury 8 hp jumps out of gear???

[S.T. Marine]

I have a late 80's 8 hp mercury outboard. The motor only has around 30 hours on it total. It starts and runs fine. Goes into gear smooth. But when I am about half throttle it kicks out of gear back into neutral. Reves up high and I have to turn the motor off. Clutch dog???/ Any ideas would help.... No shifter on the motor it is all done within the tiller arm from back to forth!

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Mercury 8 hp jumps out of gear???

My guess is also a clutch dog and maybe forward gear.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Mercury 8 hp jumps out of gear???

Clutch dog is a good bet but there is still linkage from the tiller to the l/u.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[S.T. Marine]

Re: Mercury 8 hp jumps out of gear???

There dosnt look like there is an adjustment for the shifter.... I am assuming since it only has 30 hours on it and ws used very little maybe something was messed up to begin with??? I think it would be the clutch dog??? Any other possibilities???

 

[sloopy]

Re: Mercury 8 hp jumps out of gear???

some times its always the clutch dog I run through them faster then your children run through candy!

 

[Bear]

Re: Mercury 8 hp jumps out of gear???

From the tiller handle there is two thottle cables to the shift linkage. There is no shift cables from the tiller handle.<br />#1 Tiller handle:<br /> http://www.dolleroffshore.com/parts_archive/MERMAR/811286/31.gif <br />#2 Throttle and shift linkage:<br /> http://www.dolleroffshore.com/parts_archive/MERMAR/811286/9.gif <br /><br />I don't think the pictures are any help. But I think your pop out of gear can be adjusted. I have the same model (1987). When I bought it and tryed it on my boat there was no real power at wot. Took a look at the linkage, took it apart and reasembled. I had power at wot, until I put it in neutral or reverse. Then the same thing again. Took it apart several times again and 30 minutes later I found out that one joint was almost stuck. Sanded the plastic, cleaned and greased it and it works fine. Well, that is not the same problem you have. I think there is someting about the linkage. Take a good look at it.<br /><br />Good luck!