2009 Yamaha 25 ticking in neutral

[goblerblaster]

I bought a 2009 Yamaha 25 hp 2 stroke long shaft tiller steer. It runs great but when in neutral, I can hear a ticking noise from the prop area and the prop continues to slowly turn. I can push back just a little and the noise and the prop stop. When I let pressure off the shift handle, both start again. When shifting into reverse, it will go in gear and then jump out within 5 seconds. I can push the shift lever back to reverse and it will normally stay in reverse after the second try.

When I push the shift lever slightly back, I can see the shift linkage on the lower unit barely move- maybe a 1/4 inch- to stop the prop creep and ticking noise. I have adjusted the shift linkage all the way in both directions and problem still does the same thing.

Any suggestions appreciated !! Thanks.

 

[scout-j-m]

It's definitely not adjusted right. If I remember right those are push/pull to shift type and you have to shift those into reverse in order to be able to access the barrel nut connecting the motor side and gearcase side linkages. This also means they both need to be fully engaged into reverse when reconnecting. Sounds like one or the other were not fully into the reverse position before you connected them back together. I would try removing the lower unit again and manually putting it into reverse and then trying to reinstall. You may have to spin the driveshaft or the prop a little in order to get it to fully shift/engage all the way. Also make sure the motor shifter is fully in reverse. When reconnecting them make sure that nether shift rods move and just let the barrel nut do the work to tie them together.

One extra tip, do not pull up on the gear shifter on the lower unit trying to put it in forward as you can yank out the shift rod. I have done it before and got it back together but if the parts aren't worn it really shouldn't be able to be pushed back in. Could require gearcase teardown.

 

[goblerblaster]

It's definitely not adjusted right. If I remember right those are push/pull to shift type and you have to shift those into reverse in order to be able to access the barrel nut connecting the motor side and gearcase side linkages. This also means they both need to be fully engaged into reverse when reconnecting. Sounds like one or the other were not fully into the reverse position before you connected them back together. I would try removing the lower unit again and manually putting it into reverse and then trying to reinstall. You may have to spin the driveshaft or the prop a little in order to get it to fully shift/engage all the way. Also make sure the motor shifter is fully in reverse. When reconnecting them make sure that nether shift rods move and just let the barrel nut do the work to tie them together.

One extra tip, do not pull up on the gear shifter on the lower unit trying to put it in forward as you can yank out the shift rod. I have done it before and got it back together but if the parts aren't worn it really shouldn't be able to be pushed back in. Could require gearcase teardown.

I have not had the lower unit off or the two shift rods separated. I bought the motor used and just noticed the shift ticking after I bought it. Maybe the previous owner had replaced the impellor coz it pees a good stream. I will try adjusting again and make sure it is fully in reverse when I do. I can actually turn the barrel nut when it is in neutral. Is that a signal that something is not right?

 

[99yam40]

my guess is something is bent or wore out in the lower unit

 

[scout-j-m]

I have not had the lower unit off or the two shift rods separated. I bought the motor used and just noticed the shift ticking after I bought it. Maybe the previous owner had replaced the impellor coz it pees a good stream. I will try adjusting again and make sure it is fully in reverse when I do. I can actually turn the barrel nut when it is in neutral. Is that a signal that something is not right?

The long barrel nut should be paired with a regular sized jam nut to lock it in place. If the jam nut is missing I would probably assume whoever put it back on previously didn't do it right. I couldn't tell you the jam nut size offhand but I think it takes a 10mm wrench. If you take the barrel nut with you to the hardware store you should be able find the size and pitch by trying a few bolts out with it. Remember it is metric.

It shouldnt be necessary to remove the lower unit to readjust. I'd disconnect the linkages leaving the barrel nut on the motor side. Then thread on the jam nut to the lower unit shift rod just until about flush with the tip, to protect the threads. Use good pliers or channel locks to grab the nut and try pushing it down into reverse while simultaneously pulling slowly on the recoil starter (prob have to have the motor shifter in neutral for that to work). That will spin the drive shaft which will get things moving in the lower unit so it fully engages the reverse gear and clutch dog. Then simply spin the jam nut to the bottom of the threads, put motor in reverse, adjust the barrel nut so that it has even thread engagement on both sides and tighten the jam nut.

 

[goblerblaster]

The long barrel nut should be paired with a regular sized jam nut to lock it in place. If the jam nut is missing I would probably assume whoever put it back on previously didn't do it right. I couldn't tell you the jam nut size offhand but I think it takes a 10mm wrench. If you take the barrel nut with you to the hardware store you should be able find the size and pitch by trying a few bolts out with it. Remember it is metric.

It shouldnt be necessary to remove the lower unit to readjust. I'd disconnect the linkages leaving the barrel nut on the motor side. Then thread on the jam nut to the lower unit shift rod just until about flush with the tip, to protect the threads. Use good pliers or channel locks to grab the nut and try pushing it down into reverse while simultaneously pulling slowly on the recoil starter (prob have to have the motor shifter in neutral for that to work). That will spin the drive shaft which will get things moving in the lower unit so it fully engages the reverse gear and clutch dog. Then simply spin the jam nut to the bottom of the threads, put motor in reverse, adjust the barrel nut so that it has even thread engagement on both sides and tighten the jam nut.

Thanks for the suggestion, but the jam nut is on the linkage just below the barrel nut. As I stated earlier , I have adjusted the barrel nut from all the was up to all the way down and the ticking happens everywhere in the range. I have to barely push the shift lever back about 1/4 inch and it stops.

Could it be something in the lower unit or prop shaft??

 

[99yam40]

I once found a C60 with a problem like this, it turned out to be someone tried to force the shift into reverse while the motor was not running and the clutch dogs were not aligned( only way I could think of it could happen).
found the shift shaft twisted and the pin thru the clutch dog bent.

that motor was a twist to shift, not the push pull like the OPs.
here is a pic of the shaft



I still think you will need to open up the lower to inspect to see what you find something is worn or bent.
there is a spring pushing it into forward, you have to overcome the spring to get into neutral and into reverse.
If the shifter and lower unit is in the neutral detent but the clutch dogs are still hitting something if out of place /worn out

 

[scout-j-m]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the jam nut is on the linkage just below the barrel nut. As I stated earlier , I have adjusted the barrel nut from all the was up to all the way down and the ticking happens everywhere in the range. I have to barely push the shift lever back about 1/4 inch and it stops.

Could it be something in the lower unit or prop shaft??

I guess I am still a little confused then. When you say adjusted the barrel nut all the way up to all the way down what does that mean exactly? Sounds like either the entire shift linkage is skewed in the forward position or you have worn clutch dogs or worn shift cam.

 

[goblerblaster]

I mean I can go clockwise turning the barrel nut down as far as it will go or turn it counterclockwise till it nearly separates the two shift rods and it has no bearing on the prop from not ticking and slowly turning when in nneutral unless I slightly push the gear shift handle backward towards reverse a 1/4 inch.

 

[racerone]

Take to a shop.----Have shift rod adjusted.----It will save you money and grief.

 

[scout-j-m]

I mean I can go clockwise turning the barrel nut down as far as it will go or turn it counterclockwise till it nearly separates the two shift rods and it has no bearing on the prop from not ticking and slowly turning when in nneutral unless I slightly push the gear shift handle backward towards reverse a 1/4 inch.

If I understand you right, then I don't believe what you are doing is actually changing anything. As long as the barrel nut is engaged to the threads on each shift rod it doesnt matter the position up/down. All that's happening is the barrel nut is moving while both shift rods are staying in place. You typically just center it when you re-link them so you have good thread engagement on both sides.