shift problems

[alec_rose]

Hello everyone
I have a 15 hp 74 evinrude and it is currently stuck in forward. I changed the water pump a few months ago and I feel that I may have jerked the lower unit around to much while I was doing it. The motor runs great in forward and I can move the shift gear, but it won't get out of forward. I have not dropped the lower unit yet to even see if a bolt came loose or anything real simply because I am affraid that I may pop it out of forward and I have used the boat several times since the problem occured. My question is do you think I just have to drop the lower unit and play with the shift rod, or do I need to dissesemble the lower unit and tinker in there.

alec

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: shift problems

if i'm not mistaken your engine has the plate on the side of the exhaust housing where you disconnected the shift linkage. if this is correct, it could just be as simple as this did not get tighted properly can came loose. when you shifted into forward. it came loose. i beleive your linkage moves up to forward, and down to neutral and reverse. look at the gearcase and exhaust midsections diagrams. http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Accessories/Literature/

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: shift problems

If you removed the phillips-head pivot screw at the bottom of the gearcase next to the drain screw, it may not have caught the shift-fork when you reinstalled it. Or, the shift rod has come loose somewhere from the linkage.