OMC COBRA Shift problem

[HighLineCBR]

I have a 1989 OMC Cobra 350. Last year the lower unit was rebuilt.

Yesterday I was out on the water and experienced shift problems. The Throttle control seems to be working a lot harder. More strength needed to move it into gear then usual. Then the reverse stopped working. I could pull the throttle control all the way back and it wont jump into reverse. Just seems to pull the cable back all the way, but wont go in. Then after moving back and forth a few times finally jumps in.

The drive doesn't seem to have any knocking noise and when out of the water the propeller spins freely without any unusual differences.

I noticed that once in forward gear for too long, then its wont fall into reverse without having to juggle it a good few times.

What could be the problem? could it be the cable? maybe just an adjustment needed? I just hope its not the drive again... just had it rebuilt last year.

thanks for your advise.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

bump... ideas anyone?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[GopherPride23]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

I had a very similar problem. Check that link in the above post. You probably need to change the lower shift cable that goes from the engine to the outdrive.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Good info in the link above. Thanks! How would i know which cable I have and whether its the recalled cable/bad or not? Or just take the drive off and replace the cable?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

The recalled cable is black and ribbed, replacements red and smooth, that said, just replace it, classic Cobra issue.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Good info in the link above. Thanks! How would i know which cable I have and whether its the recalled cable/bad or not? Or just take the drive off and replace the cable?

Does also it take a lot of effort to move the lower shift cable into out out of gear when on the trailer?


If you had the drive rebuilt last year, did the shop replace the cable? (if not, why not?.....Did they R&R the drive too?)
Is it just INTO gear that is the problem or is it "HARD" to shift out of gear?

The hastings article pretty much addresses all the above stuff in one form or another.....


Cheers,


Rick

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

OK. SO i do have the RED and SMOOTH cable. I could tell because its visible slightly from onder the drive where the bellows are. And it was replaced last year when the drive was rebuilt. I know because the Red cable was not there prior to the rebuild.

Seems to shift HARD only when going into gear. Out of gear is tipically no problem.

I will play with the adjustment later on today and hope to get it back in the sweet spot.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Out of gear is tipically no problem.

Does the engine "stumble" when you pull it out of gear? (only in the water.....it will not/should not do that when running on "muffs")

You should not "play" with the adjustment per se'.

The adjustment should be checked/adjusted correctly. If it's not right, it can damage/destroy a Cobra pretty quickly.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

I dont think the engine stumbled when shifting out of gear. But definately when trying to put it in reverse. At times it actually stalled as the RPMs dripped so low.

One time it actually almost stalled but then when i returned the shifter back to the neutral position it came back to life with a lot of smoke coming through the exhaust. Like it almost choked.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Well, of course, it shouldn't be smoking unless the choke is set a little too "high" and/or staying on a little longer then required......

It also shouldn't "stumble" at any time when going into gear. If it does, then it's taking too much effort to move the shifter into gear.

Going into gear shouldn't be so hard as to operate the ESA.

Once it's in gear, because of the under-cut clutch dogs and the torque on them, it takes considerable force to pull them apart.....even at idle....... (this is so they cannot be pulled apart when above idle either by you or inadvertently)

At idle, when the ESA activates, it pulses the ignition subsequently causing torque "pulses".

While this is happening, you are already applying "out-of-gear" force on the shifter........during a "torque-dip", that force is enough to cause the clutch dogs to separate.

All of this stuff is dependent on everything being adjusted correctly and the lower shift cable moving smoothly and the actual drive shift mechanism working easily too.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

I started it up on the trailer today with the muffs on. Of course it shifts with no problem now... in and out.

How can i check that the EAS is working properly? I couldn't find any detailed and clear pictures of this anywhere. But I did not notice any lower RPM when going into gear while I started it up on the trailer.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Going into gear shouldn't be so hard as to operate the ESA.

In addition to above, I'll also say that the ESA should NOT activate when going into gear.

It ONLY activates when coming out of gear (FWD/REV) If you shift while running on the trailer on a flush adapter, the ESA will NOT and SHOULD NOT activate since there's little or no torque on the shift dogs when the prop isn't in the water......certainly not enough to cause it to activate.

The only way to make it work on the trailer is to manually move the control with your hand while the engine is running.

#37 below. #71 is the ESA,

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Still havent gotten to the bottom of this. Went on the lake this weekend without reverse. Tough to get in and out of docks but with a good crew I did OK I guess...


I think my problem is with the Shift Arm. The ESA works. I feel it slowing down the engine when coming out of forward.

I would like to eliminate that the problem is in the lower unit... but not sure how I can test it without actually taking it off and apart?
- When on the trailer, off, and in neutral, the propeller spins freely in both directions. No clicking noises and or knocking. Is this enough proof that the lower unit gears are OK and that my problem is elsewhere?

The shift arm will not allow me to pull it back into reverse. It feels stuck and will not move back. Goes into forward smooth and with hardly any effort at all.

Im tinking either the shift arm or cables.

any thoughts?

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

bump... anyone on the above? thanks...

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Does the locking button mechanism on your shifter handle release? You do have to push the button in to shift forward right?
Oh forget it, you have lower cable issues. The whole sequence has to be in sync. almost have to have an expert with book in hand to perform the adjustments.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

yes. the locking button on the shift handle releases. WOrks fine into Forward. Will not go into reverse.

I guess my question is whether I could eliminate problems with the actual gears in the lower unit based on the fact that the propeller spins freely with no noise or clicking sounds. I'm hoping its just a "simple" lower shift cable issue.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

The whole sequence has to be in sync. almost have to have an expert with book in hand to perform the adjustments.

THe adjustments are made with the drive unit on or off? I'm thinking i can replace the lower shift cable re-install the drive and make the adjustments. Is that Correct? I've read many manuals but no one goes into detail on this... at least i didnt think so.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

Just pull the little pin at the trunion and at end where the lower cable attaches to the lever and shift it manually by pushing (reverse) and pulling (forward) the cable by hand, then you will know.
Adjustments are made with the drive unit off.

 

[HighLineCBR]

Re: OMC COBRA Shift problem

ok thats what I'll do. Thanks. Just needed a way to test. this make sense.