shift lever allignment

[bowfisher8967]

I need help! I've been stressing out about this for days... Just bought a used mercury 15hp 4-stroke (2006) for my first boat. Here's the problem: the shift lever next to the tiller "clicks" into neutral very close to where reverse is. The sticker/decal showing your position looks like "FN R" but actual "clicking" forward neutral and reverse is more like "F NR". The lever does not click into the spots that it should. This in itself is not a huge problem, but I also cannot always shift into reverse. Any suggestions? Should I be able to turn the prop with my hand when it is in reverse (in at least one direction)? This is my first boat, and my first post! Any help appreciated.

 

[carholme]

Re: shift lever allignment

What is your engine s/n as there are the Bigfoot and non-Bigfoot engines?

Gerry

 

[just_crsn]

Re: shift lever allignment

bowfisher, is this shifter incorporated into the throttle grip?? If it is I had the same problem. There are a couple things you need to pay attention to......first is the position of the cam where the shift rod connect to the lower unit, second is the cable adjustments on your throttle cam on the engine. If it is the same as I described I have a service manual for my mercury 2006 25hp efi that I am sure would have a similar set up and can get you going in the right direction.

 

[bowfisher8967]

Re: shift lever allignment

The serial number is 1B281020, and I believe it is a standard (non bigfoot) model. And crsn, my shift lever is not part of the throttle grip, it is on the front of the motor opposite the tiller. I was told by a shop that the problem may be misallignment of the lower unit the last time the impeller was changed out (by the previous owner). After reading a few older threads, i've been seeing alot about "making sure the lower unit is in neutral" before reinstalling. How do I know if the lower unit is in neutral? By moving the shift shaft until the prop rotates freely? Thanks alot guys I really appreciate it.

 

[carholme]

Re: shift lever allignment

bowfisher;

Your engine is a model:

1F15203FD MERCURY 2006 15

Parts listing:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/11805.cfm

Service Manual:

http://1manual.com/Mercury manuals/Service Manual PDFs/FourStroke/856159r1/cover.pdf

You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed to use this manual. If you scroll down to the lower part of the opening page, you will see the various engine components in red. Click on the one you want and when the first page opens, click on the "Save As" icon at the top LH corner of the page and you can save it to your computer.

Check the section 6A ,"Gear Housing Non-Bigfoot" which will give you instructions on removal of the LU as well as re-installation and checking prop rotation to make sure that you are actually in the gear which you selected.

Gerry

 

[bowfisher8967]

Re: shift lever allignment

Thanks Gerry, this has helped me out a lot. Much better than this Seloc manual i bought which is rather limited when it comes to the specifics of my motor.. So thanks again!