2000 40 HP Mercury Force - reverse problem

ilabmax · #1 November 1st, 2009, 08:08 AM

I have a 2000, 40 HP Mercury Force that lost reverse after shifting into reverse with high RPMs. I imagine something broke in the lower unit. Shifts into forward OK, chatters a bit in neutral. It is still in the water, and I'm wondering if running it in forward might destroy the gears. Any thoughts or ideas about what damage I did, and should I paddle to the trailer and pull apart the lower unit without running it?

wellsc1 · #2 November 1st, 2009, 07:54 PM

As the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Here my compliment version. "If you think it's broke, don't keep running it to be sure." Little things can "explode" into big things. Fix it while it may be a little thing. mtcw

wellsc1 · #3 November 2nd, 2009, 07:51 AM

Here's the authentic compliment to the first quote. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

ilabmax · #4 November 2nd, 2009, 06:40 PM

Thanks - I think you have the right idea.

jackd1023 · #5 November 3rd, 2009, 10:56 AM

I had this problem with my older 94 ish 75 hp. It kicked into gear while warming up then I lost reverse. The shift shaft somehow jumped from the knuckle for lack of a better or correct term. I dropped the LU and put the shifter in forward found forward in the LU and reinstalled. There was some play in the shaft found out that it was missing a washer that held the shaft tight. The shaft for some reason would move up and down aprox 1/4 inch. The washer did the trick 5 years later my friend that now owns the boat still has had no problem. Something to check.. hope it helps.