engine overheating causes boat to not go in gear

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waterluvr

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Mar 25, 2007
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I have a 1985 ebbtide riveria xl with 4.3 mercruiser i/o in
It got really hot this last ime I was at the lake and qiut going into gear.Not taking in any water through ear muffs.Checked thermostat and replacing.What would cause it to not go into gear
now.Transmission worked fine up until now.I think I will have to replace the impeller in lowe unit and probably rebuild pump any other ideas.New at this whole boat thing so I am up fore any advice.Please hope it's not going to be too costly
 
Don S

Don S

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Aug 31, 2004
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Re: engine overheating causes boat to not go in gear

The lower shift cable leans against the exhaust Y. Without the water flow, the exhaust Y would get very hot, melt the cable exterior and make the cable bind.

Here is a link to the OEM service manual for your drive.
You're gonna need it.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf
 
Reel Poor

Reel Poor

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Jan 29, 2005
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5,522
Re: engine overheating causes boat to not go in gear

If it's not taking water from the muffs and wont go into gear you may have spun the engine coupler.
 
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waterluvr

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Re: engine overheating causes boat to not go in gear

I've tried to put it into gear and when I do it kills the engine.Any help would be much appreciated.I am new to this hole boating thing.I hope this won't be expensive or at least really expensive.
 
180shabah

180shabah

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Mar 26, 2005
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Re: engine overheating causes boat to not go in gear

It is possible that without having any cooling water your drive is toast. However it is more likely the shift cable got burned as mentioned above. A quick visual inspection should confirm this.
 
Don S

Don S

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Re: engine overheating causes boat to not go in gear

I've tried to put it into gear and when I do it kills the engine.
Click to expand...
That is EXACTLY what happens when a shift cable melts and binds. Every time you try to shift, it activates the shift interrupt system and kills the ignition. The system is acting perfectly normal. You just need a new shift cable.
 
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