1997 Evinrude 150hp REVERSE NOT WORKING

I just bought a boat with a 1997 Evinrude, 150hp motor (serial #G04423030). when you try to put it in reverse, it will barely work the 1st time (the gears sound like they are grinding and it reverses very slow). After that 1st time, it won't engage anymore, and it just grinds; The RPMs on the motor go up, and it won't go in gear. I talked with a buddy of mine, and he suggested that it might be the cable. Any confirmations or other suggestions??

Re: 1997 Evinrude 150hp REVERSE NOT WORKING

Welcome aboard BK!<br /><br />First, disconnect the shift cable at the motor and see if reverse engages when shifted manually. If it does, problem likely lays in the control cables. With the cables disconnected, operate the control handle and watch the casing guides at the end of the cables. The shift cable will operated first, then the throttle cable.<br /><br />Make sure the cables arent to long for the boat. They should straight back and form a loop in front of the engine to allow for engine swing.<br /><br />Do you know of any maint recently done to the lower unit? If the lower unit has been off for some reason, the shift rod height adjustment may have been thrown off.