Boat won't go forward only reverse

[pinnaclepoolandspa]

I have a cobra 4.3 omc and it only goes in reverse. Does anybody have any idea what might be the problem? Also, how difficult would it be for me to fix the problem? Thanks for any advice.. My wife is chomping at the bit to get it fix, ASAP.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Boat won't go forward only reverse

OK first of all you can't have a Merc/OMC...that's like saying you have a Ford/Chevy Now once you figure out exactly what you have do you know if it's control related or if it's in the lower unit? Does the control handle actually move into forward? You could disconnect the gear shift cable at the engine and watch what happens when you move the gearshift into forward and reverse, does the cable end travel about the same distance in both directions? I guess this post should really go into the I/O section not outboards.

 

[pinnaclepoolandspa]

Re: Boat won't go forward only reverse

Opps, that was my bad. I was trying to remember what I had a put both instead of just the Cobra. I did check the linkage and that was okay. I am not to familiar with working on boats.

 

[MercFan]

Re: Boat won't go forward only reverse

Drain the lower unit oil, and check if you get steel shavings/debris in the oil.

 

[gss036]

Re: Boat won't go forward only reverse

Maybe move it over to the Mercruiser, Vovo and OM I/O Engine Problem topic, might get some better answers.