Sears Gamefisher Ted Williams 15 HP popped out and won't go into gear

[tshajlij]

I just bought this little outboard and the motor starts and runs very nicely. However, my first run out on the lake went no more than 50 yards before it popped out of gear and now it won't go back into gear, neither forward nor reverse. I checked the gear oil and it's muddy gray. I drained it and will be going to the store to pickup some 80W 90 marine gear oil to flush it out. Could this behavior be due to the oil? Does the muddy gray indicate a rebuild is necessary?

Also, I checked the view hold where the shift linkage is and it appears to be moving when I shift from neutral to forward and reverse. From that, my guess was that the linkage is ok.

I keep seeing people say seals and gaskets need to be replaced, but I have no idea which ones and how difficult it is. This is my first outboard every and have never worked on one. I'm a pretty decent weekend mechanic and have worked on automobiles quite a bit, but never on 2-cycle outboards. Help! I was hoping to get on the water with a semi-decent working motor this year.

[mrcrabs]

Welcome to Iboats,

the lower seals and O rings are a really simple on that outboard but you need a manual that covers it and from the sound of it it your going to need some gear or shift dog, bearing,,,,and thats going to be the hard part, I see the whole set on flea bay for $120 och! I think you just need to get it tore down and inspected...then go from there...you never know who at Iboats is holding a complete gear set for that outboard,