imported_MM
Recruit
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2006
- Messages
- 3
I have an 89 5.8L OMC Cobra in a FourWinns 200 Candia deck boat. I am having shift problems mainly going into reverse. It goes into forward perfectly and performs beautifully. However, it is rather stiff most of the time coming out of forward to neutral when running. With engine off, it shifts smooth like it is brand new. My main problem is that it no longer goes into reverse. It did at first, but was never smooth. Now I get a light clicking noise like its not fully engaging.
I have checked to see that the shift cable is red so it appears to have been replaced. According to boat dealer (his mechanics know nothing about OMC) that I purchased it from, the previous owners had the lower unit replaced last year. The lower unit looks brand new without even a scratch on it.
Thinking it may have been the shift cable adjustment, I checked out what I could. I measured from end of cable housing to the hole in the end and it was 7-¼. I adjusted it to the recommended 7 -5/8. I also unhooked the cable from the engine and everything appeared to be very smooth and easy to shift. When in each gear, the prop would turn one direction and not the other.
Assuming that was it, I took it to the lake for the test. Forward still worked flawlessly (so it seemed) but still no reverse. After running a little bit, it would jump out of gear in forward and would run erratically. I adjusted the cable about half the distance back and it worked perfectly the rest of the day. Obviously, cable adjustment plays a major role and can produce some strange results when not properly adjusted. Unfortunately, I still had no reverse and it was still a little tight going in to neutral.
I have seen a few things online about the ESA (??) and hard to go in neutral. The engine appears to idle down fairly low, but I think still runs around 1000 rpm, possibly less. How can I tell whether there is an ESA prob? First, where do I locate it?
Also, any other thoughts as to next steps regarding reverse not synching up?
I have checked to see that the shift cable is red so it appears to have been replaced. According to boat dealer (his mechanics know nothing about OMC) that I purchased it from, the previous owners had the lower unit replaced last year. The lower unit looks brand new without even a scratch on it.
Thinking it may have been the shift cable adjustment, I checked out what I could. I measured from end of cable housing to the hole in the end and it was 7-¼. I adjusted it to the recommended 7 -5/8. I also unhooked the cable from the engine and everything appeared to be very smooth and easy to shift. When in each gear, the prop would turn one direction and not the other.
Assuming that was it, I took it to the lake for the test. Forward still worked flawlessly (so it seemed) but still no reverse. After running a little bit, it would jump out of gear in forward and would run erratically. I adjusted the cable about half the distance back and it worked perfectly the rest of the day. Obviously, cable adjustment plays a major role and can produce some strange results when not properly adjusted. Unfortunately, I still had no reverse and it was still a little tight going in to neutral.
I have seen a few things online about the ESA (??) and hard to go in neutral. The engine appears to idle down fairly low, but I think still runs around 1000 rpm, possibly less. How can I tell whether there is an ESA prob? First, where do I locate it?
Also, any other thoughts as to next steps regarding reverse not synching up?
