[saltshaker]

sounds like i may have a simial problem to some already posted here.

I have a 1989/1990 Evinrude 225, been running great. Was about half throttle getting up on plane a week ago, a minute or so later, i was stopped in neutral. seems like all of a sudden the engine shifted to neutral, but the trottle was still "forward". The engine was still running, pee hole working, everything looked normal. shut down the engine, lifted it, no visible damage (i'm pretty sure i didnt hit anything). i dont even think i heard a noise, just slipped into neutral or, slipped out of gear. Looked at it closer the next day, shift rod looks fine, moves up and down. Engine runs fine, but would not go into forward or reverse. Throttle shifts, engine will not start with throttle in gear, so its like the engine knows its supposed to be in gear, just doesn't actually engage.

i'd like to haul the boat and drop the lower unit myself to see what im dealing with. is it very difficult? can someone recommend a book for this, seloc? i figure worse case im looking to replace the lower unit. but maybe it could be a quicker/cheaper fix?

I appreciate any responses, thank you.

[ezeke]

I would recommend that you get the OMC factory manual. It will cover the 90 degree Looper motors for your year and provide detailed instructions. You can get them [edit] online, or perhaps find a good used one on Ebay. They are worth the price.

The following link is to a listing for the correct manual for a 1989 looper. The price is excellent:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Evinr...1.c0.m14.l1318

There is a good chance that the cause of your problem is a spun prop.

You can check it without removing anything by scribing a line as shown in my thumbnail, using the cotter pin as a pointer. If it moves out of alignment you would need a new hub in the propeller.

[tashasdaddy]

you can also disconnect the shift cable at the motor and see if it will go into gear, could be broke cable, in the sheath. or broke in the controller.

[Dhadley]

If the shift rod moves up and down when the control is moved that eliminates the cable and control. Let's hope it's as simple as a spun hub. Since the motor was still pumping water that eliminates a drive shaft break or spline issue above the pump.

[saltshaker]

Thanks all, i just dont see how it could be as simple as a spun hub, or maybe im misunderstanding a spun hub. thats what alot of people have told me. i took the prop off and everything looked good. that would be great if it is the problem. but i would think i'd hear some sort of shifting noise in and out of gear. i do have a spare prop, so if i put that one, that should eliminate the 'spun hub' theory, correct? if its that simple, great!

[Dhadley]

We're hoping it's a spun hub. Does the propshaft spin at all?

[saltshaker]

LOL, i hope its spun hub too.

i did disconnect the linkage at the motor tashasdadday (was hoping it was just a cable disconnected or adjustment), everything looks to move ok. so, with a spun hub, if i lifted the engine a little, and engage the gears, should i see the proft shaft turn in gear? with the motor off, the prop just spins freely both ways in neutral fwd and rev. there is a slight bit of clunking when i turn it backwards. not sure how else to describe it, but, i wouldnt really call it resistance, and it doesnt really make a noise.

thanks

[saltshaker]

i might add, yes, the prop shaft and prop all look to turn as one.

[Dhadley]

Bummer. We'll assume that when you say the prop turns freely the shaft is moving with it. In that case it looks like we'll have to get into the case a little farther. Once you get the boat out of the water, drain the gearcase.

[saltshaker]

yep, shaft moves too. by looking at it, it looks to all be ok. so i think im looking at least to haul and remove the lower unit. i guess i could try my spare prop for the heck of it. so, once i do pick up a manual, is dropping and replacing the lower unit very difficult?

[ezeke]

Buy the manual I found for you on Ebay. It is the right one, published in 88 for the 89 models that came out in the fall of 1988. That's 1/3 of what a new one will cost you including the postage.

If you are anywhere near I have two spare drives so you don't have to waste what's left of the season.

Dropping the lower unit is 45 minutes tops if you split the lower cowl and take it off. It makes it much easier to replace the unit as well.

[saltshaker]

Thank you, I'm in boston. So if the motor seems to be running ok otherwise and I can swap the lower unit, do you think that will cover me? Based on what I've described?

[ezeke]

Yes. The main thing is to keep the time of year in mind. If you have to get the gearcase worked on, this is the worst time to do it because everyone is swamped.


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