Reverse works fine out of water but Not in the water?

[hezzy602]

My problem is that Forward and reverse work fine with muffs on and running in the driveway, doesn't die when shifting it from N to D or N to R, but when I launch the boat the damn thing always dies putting it in reverse! But once I have been on the lake for a couple hours reverse works just fine, doesnt die at all. I have tried numerous times adjusting the both cables, if I follow the manual instructions on adjustments it shifts beautiful into forward but doesnt even come close to engaging into reverse. I repeated the steps numerous times thinking I might of missed something but same result. So I have to manually adjust the barrel nut on the top cable back and forth to find the happy medium so that both forward and reverse work. EXCEPT IN the dang water when there is resistances on the prop.
ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL,

Boat=1985 VIP MCM205 Mercruiser v6 4.3l

 

[safd18fire]

Re: Reverse works fine out of water but Not in the water?

You don't say what drive you have. I had the exact same problem on my boat last year with an Alpha One drive. You need to replace your lower shift cable before you tear up the gears in the outdrive. Don't ask how I know that. Not a very hard fix. I did mine in a few hours in the driveway.

 

[hezzy602]

Re: Reverse works fine out of water but Not in the water?

I believe I have the same, an alpha 1, not real sure. The lower one its the one that goes to your controls? You think it got stretched some how?

 

[swihartart]

Re: Reverse works fine out of water but Not in the water?

It goes from your shift plate through the transom and mounts to a shift arm in the outdrive. Take off your drive and you'll see it. $75 for a new one, usually water leaks through shift bellows into the shift area and corrodes the cable making it stick.

Or

age makes the cable wear into the outer sheath making it sticky and you get the symptoms you have. No amount of adjustment will cure it...save your time messing with it and change it.

 

[hezzy602]

Re: Reverse works fine out of water but Not in the water?

I will look into that, thanks. But still wondering why reverse works fine after boating for an hour or so?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Reverse works fine out of water but Not in the water?

You can find the install & check info in the outdrive manual. I believe it is #6 in the Mercruiser list in the tech help. Try the "Must have tech help for DIYers" at the top of the forum. There you will have access to all the info you need.