no forwar gear on force 50

[smeatloaf]

i am a newbie to boating, but half way mechanical. i took out a used bayliner that i just bought drove it for 15-20 minutes with no problems. i stopped to pick up some other passengers and now i have no forward gear. symptons are good reverse, the shifter will go into forward but i don't hear the lower end engage. i looked at the linkages and cables nothing seems to be binding or bent but i still don't have forward. after reading the forums here i pulled the prop and it isn't reamed out. with the boat out of water i can put in foward motor off and turn prop and i can feel resistance from cylinder but will turn over help. engine is force 50 1988 on bayliner capri 15 ft.------------------GREG SMITH

[12Footer]

Change the lube in the lower unit and note it's color. I think your problem is linkage-related, but this is equally important.If it is gray, or milky-brown, you have water in it, which indicates a bad seal at minimum, and possable gear damage. To check for gear damage, run your finger thru the drained lube and feel for chunks of matal.By chunks, i mean anything bigger than a grain of salt. Fine powder is normal wear on old lube.The linkage adjustment is on the right side of your motor, outside and just below the bottom cowling. It's a 5/16" by 2" nut on the threaded shift shaft. It is secured with a lock nut on each end.Most times, you cannot visually see a spun hub, and don't rule this out, unless it wont even idle forward. If it does, you can betthe hub has spun. Force props are notorious at spinning-out.I hope the spider gear is intact, but the old lube will let u know without tearing it down.Good luck,and let us know how it's going.

[smeatloaf]

thanks 12 footer,i will check the lube in the lower end but i didn't understand about theidle forward. did you mean if it would idle forward it is a spun hub or if it wouldn't idle forward. my engine will only rev like a transmission in neutral in forwar. i also got an email from corm adn he akso said to check linkage. i am assuming the linkage youare refering to is on the outside downthe side of the motor. agai thanks and i will try the suggestions any hint on best gear lube for the force.------------------GREG SMITH

[12Footer]

A spun hub will act like a slipping clutch on a car, so I don't think it is spun, going by your description.You are correct on the location of the linkage.I use "Lubrimatic Outboard Gear Lube", and it's available locally. It's not the cheapest, or the most expensive,but it holds up fine.Your lower unit will hold around 12 onces.

[smeatloaf]

now that i knew wha i was looking at the guy who sold me the bayliner also gave me an engine repair manual, only problem there is on trouble shooting section only how to fix it once you figured out whatis wrong. oh well i tried what the manual said about adjustments on the linkage and mine was severly off to the reverse side. i cetered the linkage back and i now get engage at the same point without running going forwar dor reverse i will get the gear lube tommorrow and change that also just for safety sake and check condition of oil. then take to the St.johns to try out. thanks agin

[12Footer]

I hope she treats you right,smeat.