losing forward gear after running a while

ScottinAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
831
Having a REALLY annoying issue with the drive on my boat (1980 Merc 120 with MC (? its factory....) drive)

when first starting out at the lake, or testing at home, I have forward and reverse, no issues at all. Push the side control forward, or rear to the detent, and it engages just fine, no noise or slop. As the trip moves on however, I lose the ability to SHIFT into forward gear, and reverse goes in prior to hitting the detent.

I have been through the shift cable adjustment procedure ad-nauseum, but it does not net a change in behavior. After the last trip when it did this, I replaced the side control with a used one of the same type. When I went through the boat last year, I replaced the cable, albeit with an aftermarket one.

I am thinking the cable is the root of the issue, but dont want to fire up the parts cannon any more than it already has been, and I NEED THIS FIXED..... Its a little inconvenient and embarrassing to lose forward gear when one is coming into the dock, and REALLY NEEDS TO SHIFT....
 

ScottinAZ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 25, 2009
Messages
831
well, had a chance to actually look in the engine bay, and I have a confirmed kill.... the cable sheath came out of the ferrule at the top end of the lower shift cable...... Chinesium crap strikes again..... Now to buy a genuine Mercruiser one.....
 
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