Can I put the engine in gear with out cables or controls?

[tmontaner]

Hi i have a 2002 mercury outboard. I forced it into gear last week and something broke. It felt like it came from the control. I opened the control box and some metal worked its way out by just moving to forward and reverse. I have ordered a new control box and cables. But i want to make sure nothing else is wrong. How do i know if its in neutral or in gear. How can i make sure before installing new cables and control box that the gears or other parts were not damaged? :facepalm:

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Can I put the engine in gear with out cables or controls?

look under your engine cover
should see 2 cables
one for the carbs one for the gears. unhook gear cable and see if you can shift it by hand. May need to start it. If it does not shift easy that is why the control box broke. problem is in the lower unit. check gear oil etc.

 

[tmontaner]

Re: Can I put the engine in gear with out cables or controls?

I just changed my oil in lower unit today. It looked ok maybe a little water coming in. Had a small amount of discoloration. I also tried to move the gear with the engine off. It did move all the way forward and half way back. I did not have the engine on. SO I should start the engine and try to put it in gear.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Can I put the engine in gear with out cables or controls?

When shifting with the engine off, spin the prop by hand to allow proper engagement of the clutch dog. If a clutch dog high point hits a gear hight point, it won't shift. Not a problem when running, but if not running it can cause breakage of little bits...

 

[tmontaner]

Re: Can I put the engine in gear with out cables or controls?

Ok so I spun the prop and shifted it into gear and i hear a click noise when i spin the prop. That is a good sign correct? Now with the discolored lower unit oil should i replace the seals?