1998 Evinrude 200 Ocean Pro grinds when shifted into reverse, any trim

[ovrboard]

I have a 1998 Evinrude Ocean Pro 200 V6 that I keep in the water. I keep it trimmed down at all times due to cold weather. I ran the boat last weekend, it shifted fine. This afternoon, I ran the boat for about 2 hours, and reverse now grinds when I shift into reverse gear. This occurs at any trim level. I have not had the boat out of the water since June, at which time I changed the lower unit oil, no signs of metal or water in the oil. I checked the shift cable with the hood off, it seems to be shifting the lever fine. I did not have any tools with me, but checked all bolts and the hand-tightened adjustment, and all were tight enough I could not move them with my hand. What could be going on here?

Also, I am not "babying" it, and the prop does spin enough to move the boat while grinding. Forward gear shifts and works fine at any speed.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 200 Ocean Pro grinds when shifted into reverse, any trim

I'm not a mechanic so don't take my word for it but I had a similar problem with my 115 Johnson a couple of years back. I tried all kinds of adjustments and eventually found out the cause. The last time I changed my water pump impeller I turned the shift rod while I had the lower unit off which threw it out of adjustment. My guess is if you would remove your lower unit and screw the shift rod in one complete turn that would be just about enough to put it back into adjustment.

Now somebody who knows better than me will probably come in and say no don't do that. If so listen to them, don't listen to me. LOL.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 200 Ocean Pro grinds when shifted into reverse, any trim

I still think it is the height of the shift rod. Like I said before I made all kinds of cable adjustments on mine with no effect. Once I set the shift rod height right there were no problems.

I believe if the rod is too high you will grind in reverse, too low and you lose forward, just right and she will shift perfect. I could be backwards tho. Anyway it sounds to me like you are about one full turn of the rod off. Too much running like that and you are going to round off the corners of the clutch dog and reverse gear.

 

[ovrboard]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 200 Ocean Pro grinds when shifted into reverse, any trim

Just an update here. Before I decided to drop the lower unit, I disconnected the cables and shifted the motor by hand in the water. Fwd and Rev worked fine. I adjusted and lubed the cables and put back together, shifts perfectly now. Let's see what a oil change in the lower unit looks like and I think I'm good to go.