1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

Hi all,

First post here. Great informative group. I've done some reading for a few days and can't really find any previous conversations on my problem.

We bought this motor a week ago and it ran great for a few days. Fully functional. This is an electric start motor. The other day, my son went to back it out of our slip and even though he had it in reverse, it went forward. Now, no matter where the shift lever is, the prop is engaged and it is in forward. We have no idea how this happened. He does not recall having any kind of "event" with it. My son is 18 and we both have very limited knowledge about outboards. This is our first one.

Two questions:

One: The obvious one - what may be wrong, and is this a diy repair?

Two: It starts and runs fine in forward. Is there any danger to continuing to run it this way for the rest of the fall? I know it is supposed to be started in neutral.

Thanks for any guidance in advance!

Greg

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

Welcome to iboats!!

The first answer is Yes, it's a DIY fix. Find a OMC manual for your motor first. The repair is to remove the lower unit and check the linkages on the gear shift rod. I would suspect the linkage has been misaligned.
Let us know what you find. BTW, the replacement of the water impeller is usually done around 2 years.

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

I'd say run it like it is until fall. Just remember to be sitting down when you start the motor! It sounds like the shift rod is disconnected and it can be a bit of a job to fix(if that's what it is). You will get great advice on this site, so, don't be afraid to do the work yourself.

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

It's a ten minute job to check the shift rod coupler and see if it has come apart. Why not check that and if you have to go further then wait till winter. Here is a couple of links that will help. Best of luck. Rick.

http://epc.brp.com/SiteMods/BRP_Public/BRP_Public_Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/Index.aspx

http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Ramblings.html

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

Thanks for the quick replies. Rick, on this lower unit parts photo, exactly where should I look for my problem? Thanks!

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

You'll be looking for part #49. It is a small brass piece and will be located front and center when you drop the lower unit by removing the six bolts (#55). There's a good chance that it has either come undone or may have even broken. All other linkages are harder to break and harder to get to...

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

xcusme has a good point. If you are dropping the lower unit, you might as well change the water pump impeller, part #40. If you don't know when it has been changed you might as well do it. I give my new impellers about 5 years of use (instead of 2 or 3) , but maybe someday I may regret that.

In any event, an impeller must be changed "when it is still working" since the alternative is to have it fail first, overheat and blow your motor and really ruin your day.

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

Update:

I finally got around to taking the lower unit off and located the problem. The top bolt (part 48) that holds the the shifter arm on somehow stripped out and was lying at the bottom of the lower unit. All I need to do is replace that one bolt and I am back in business (treads on the brass bracket still good). I was thinking of just getting a stainless steel bolt from the local hardware store. What do you think? I know it would not have a slot-head on it, but I could put the new bolt on the bottom of the bracket and use the one with the slot head on top so I could still have access to the bolt when assembling and removing the lower unit in the future. Thanks to everyone that helped me get to this point!

Oh, and one other question; I did not pay great attention when dissembling the lower unit and am not exactly sure where the O-ring part number 54 goes on the drive shaft (number 43). I am assuming it goes on the indented groove at the top near around the gears of the drive shaft.

Greg

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

gshoemaker said:

Oh, and one other question; I did not pay great attention when dissembling the lower unit and am not exactly sure where the O-ring part number 54 goes on the drive shaft (number 43). I am assuming it goes on the indented groove at the top near around the gears of the drive shaft.

Greg

Click to expand...

Yup

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

I've seen instances where people get a bolt that will push straight through the brass coupler and put a lock nut on the other side, seems to work. Yes the oring goes on the end of the driveshaft, prevent the shaft from seizing into the crankshaft.

EDIT- appropriate length bolt of course or the lower won't reinstall.

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

bktheking said:

I've seen instances where people get a bolt that will push straight through the brass coupler and put a lock nut on the other side, seems to work. Yes the oring goes on the end of the driveshaft, prevent the shaft from seizing into the crankshaft.

EDIT- appropriate length bolt of course or the lower won't reinstall.

Click to expand...

If the o ring is not in the right place can that hurt anything? I have the same motor and I know mines not in the right place now. I put it back where the other one had been. About halfway down the shaft.

Thanks Terry

Re: 1975 15hp Johnson stuck in forward

The o-ring MUST be in the groove in the driveshaft. The groove is placed so the o-ring rests against the bottom of the crankshaft, sealing grease in and water out. If the o-ring is missing or misaligned, bad things can happen next time you try to remove the lower unit...