Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

[Handegard]

Would the fact that reverse works just fine indicate that the gears are likely OK? I do have some background on why I think this below:

Right now, if I am in neutral, the prop spins freely both ways. Putting it in reverse makes it lock (or go backwards if I'm in water) and putting it in forward lets me spin the prop by hand still, and it makes a noise when I do so that I believe is the gears not engaging fully.

If I take the cable off the linkage, and manually pull it only slightly farther than the linkage can pull it, the prop no longer spins freely, just like in reverse.

So from what I understand, the majority of Cobra problems are either a incorrect/bad/misadjusted shift cable, or in a extreme case a bad set of gears (which from what I understand is caused by the first problem) Just wondering if I should be optimistic about the gears

 

[gadget73]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

Drain some gear oil out. If it looks like oil, the gears are probably OK. If its full of metal, you have deeper problems.

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

I think alot of your questions were answered in the other thread you started on this issue. It sure sounds like misadjustment.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

the gears are always spinning in the drive, it is the clutch dog that engages with either fwd or rev gear to spin the propshaft

having a misadjusted cable will cause the teeth of the clutch dog and the clutch teeth on the gears to become damaged - replace the cable!!

the gears are set-up with shims to a proper dimension when the drive is assembled so i wouldn't worry too much about them

the only way to know for sure is to tear down the drive and inspect

 

[Handegard]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

Well the "hey, it works in reverse!" thing just popped into my head to ask.

So, today I put the boat in the water again, this time we disconnected the shifting cable and tried to pull it a little further (the adjustment is at max when everything is hooked up, but the cable still has some play in it)

Nope No forward gear.

Reverse works well though. When it was accidentally gunned, it took off like a rocket in reverse, and blew probably 15 gallons of water in

The fluid looks goodish, from the top at least. We'll drain it and see if there is any metal in it.

Thanks guys.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

Did you get it this way or did something happen? There are 3 different places to adjust the shifting. If one is not right the others will never be right.

Cobras, unlike MC drives, come apart in neutral.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

We went over this in your other thread.....
Replace the lower shift cable,adjust to specs in the FACTORY OMC MANUAL,
Re-install the drive and if it still has no forward gear then the lower needs to be rebuilt.
If you keep messing with the cables and not having the EXACT procedure from the manual it will never shift correctly and destroy what ever is left of the lower gears...

 

[Handegard]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

Did you get it this way or did something happen? There are 3 different places to adjust the shifting. If one is not right the others will never be right.

Cobras, unlike MC drives, come apart in neutral.

Previous owner (whom I know) let his sons use the boat all year last year. As far as he knew, the outdrive worked fine. They let it freeze and cracked the block.

We went over this in your other thread.....
Replace the lower shift cable,adjust to specs in the FACTORY OMC MANUAL,
Re-install the drive and if it still has no forward gear then the lower needs to be rebuilt.
If you keep messing with the cables and not having the EXACT procedure from the manual it will never shift correctly and destroy what ever is left of the lower gears...

I understand that there is a specific procedure to follow. This thread isn't about it. This thread was as "hey, if it works in reverse, is that a indicator of anything" quick question.

I will follow the correct procedure in my own time. I recieved advice from several people in that thread, and one of them suggested trying to pull the cable a little snug and see if it went. That was the easiest method to try, and therefore the first method. When winter rolls around and I'm not on the lake during my freetime, I'll do the more invasive stuff.

 

[metro3pilot]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

I understand that there is a specific procedure to follow. This thread isn't about it. This thread was as "hey, if it works in reverse, is that a indicator of anything" quick question.

It indicates your reverse may or may not be working correctly

Replace the lower shift cable,adjust to specs in the FACTORY OMC MANUAL,
Re-install the drive and if it still has no forward gear then the lower needs to be rebuilt.
If you keep messing with the cables and not having the EXACT procedure from the manual it will never shift correctly and destroy what ever is left of the lower gears...

Good advice,

on a separate note I'm having my lower rebuilt now after hitting a rock and chipping a tooth $ 1850 dollar . but that includes resealing the upper so my thinking its better than a used unknown unit on ebay for $ 1800.00

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

Its not like you are on the lake now.....unless you are going around in reverse..

There is no "quick fix" Its just going to make it worse.
I guess no one is telling you what you want to hear..?

 

[Handegard]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

Its not like you are on the lake now.....unless you are going around in reverse..

There is no "quick fix" Its just going to make it worse.
I guess no one is telling you what you want to hear..?

I own 2 boats

The Bayliner will wait. There is some really good info in my other thread, but I'm having a hard time digesting it. I'd kill to get the boat on the lake tomorow, but It'll have to wait untill I can print out all that info and read it.

 

[danond]

Re: Quick dirty Cobra diagnosis

Welcome to owning a Cobra. Now, no more whining, and go do it right.