Boat won't stay in reverse....

[buckage]

I have a '91 evinrude 225. Recently got a new set of controls, cables to finish off an extensive boat rebuild. Last step was replacing the impeller. I have had issues on and off of the boat slipping out of reverse as I added power. I thought that since i could not seem to adjust the cables or linkage to get rid of the issue, that I may have inadvertently had the shift rod get out of place wneh dropping the lower so I dialed it out a few turns to make the rod longer and hopefully hold in reverse better.....now it is even worse. Won't even go into reverse and grinds right away... Is there a rule of thumb on adjusting that shift rod? Could it be the reverse gear or clutch dog that is causing it and is there aw way to know whether it is linkage or the lower unit going out for reverse? BTW, out of the water, it shifts fine into reverse and you can't make the prop skip out no matter how hard you try....in the water, no reverse....

 

[QC]

Re: Boat won't stay in reverse....

Let's try this in the OB section. We try and keep the boat section free of motor topics, and I think this is where you're going to find the best help. Good luck!

 

[buckage]

Re: Boat won't stay in reverse....

Thanks Im a newbie and should have known better....

 

[jdlough]

Re: Boat won't stay in reverse....

You're going to get better answers soon, but here's the basics...

The shift rod length is VERY critical. You shouldn't just dial it out and see if that works. It has to be set to what the service manual says, very precisely. Within 1/32" or so.

When you adjusted the cable length, I assume you spun that little wheel on the cable at the motor to adjust it, and couldn't adjust it enough, right?

Right next to that wheel, under a cover, there's that trunnion nut. Did you try moving that? Then use the wheel to fine tune your length.

I had to move my trunnion nut on my Johnson 175, for my reverse problem when I couldn't get enough adjustment out of that cable wheel.

 

[QC]

Re: Boat won't stay in reverse....

Thanks Im a newbie and should have known better....

S'awright dude, welcome aboard!!!

 

[buckage]

Re: Boat won't stay in reverse....

Well I know that if I remove the cable and shift by hand the cable is pushing it all the way, it doesn't goe any further by hand. I will go back and readjust the shift rod to specs again but we already had done that with no relief. How difficult is it to remove to inspect the reverse gear....I assume that if it is rounded off that that wuld cause the same issue. I have heard that there are shims in the lower unit that have to be redone professionally. But if the reverse gear could be inspected without messing up the shims, I am pretty sure I can do that? Am I thinking correctly that if the shift rod is adjusted correctly, and I try to shift manually with the cables disconnected, that if it still won't stay in gear...the problem is the lower unit?

 

[boobie]

Re: Boat won't stay in reverse....

If you try to manually shift it with the cables disconnected and it won't stay in reverse you most likely need g/c repair.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Boat won't stay in reverse....

As a rule, any time you turn anything on you engine always count and write down how many turns and what direction the you can at least get it back to where it was, if you went one way and made it worse go back to the original spot and go one turn the other way and try it,. btween the adjustment on he cbles and tirning the shift rod you may be able to adjust this out.

If that doesn't work or you go the other way,reverse with no forward then the lower needs some work, if itis messed up now you aren't going to hurt it, worth a shot anyhow.