Nissan 6hp won’t lock in reverse ( prop sucks up )

[matt167]

My friend has a 2017 Nissan. I think model would be MFS6 and he says it won’t lock in reverse. The prop will pull up to the surface. I looked online quick and I think it’s a spring that is weak and seems like it may be a common issue. I know it’s a black Tohatsu, and also I let him know that’s what it is.. anyone have any insight? He just bought the boat/ motor combo a week ago or so. Has it on a 14’ Grumman which is a tiny OB for it but he’s a river fisher

 

[pvanv]

Year is irrelevant; Model is critical. The reverse latch is a pair of hooks that likely would work by gravity, but there are a pair of springs to guarantee it latches in reverse.

 

[cyclops222]

Never saw or heard of that problem on any motor. Must be that someone REMOVED the latching system parts.
Very dangerous when docking. By chance is it a swiveling around motor for reverse ? Like old small Johnson motors ?

 

[racerone]

Problem has existed on many motors.----Check the shift linkages going to the lower unit.-----Like just needs adjusting.

 

[km1125]

It's possible the reverse lock clamp (#36 in pic) is either bent or just needs to be lubricated. It is pushed up by the lower shift rod through a hole in the housing when the lower unit is in DRIVE, so that the motor can kick up if it hits something. When shifted to neutral or reverse, the shift rod is lowered so the reverse lock can lower and latch so the motor cannot tilt out. If that lower flange is bent (where the arrow points to) or stuck in the raised position the motor will not lock and will swing up when the motor is put in reverse.

Tried to upload two pics, but got an error "the site admin will need to resolve this before any files can be uploaded".

 

[matt167]

It's possible the reverse lock clamp (#36 in pic) is either bent or just needs to be lubricated. It is pushed up by the lower shift rod through a hole in the housing when the lower unit is in DRIVE, so that the motor can kick up if it hits something. When shifted to neutral or reverse, the shift rod is lowered so the reverse lock can lower and latch so the motor cannot tilt out. If that lower flange is bent (where the arrow points to) or stuck in the raised position the motor will not lock and will swing up when the motor is put in reverse.

Tried to upload two pics, but got an error "the site admin will need to resolve this before any files can be uploaded".

Makes sense. I have not had a chance to look at it for him yet. I told him it had to work like you suggested and to try lubricating stuff. He told me it was on a camp before he bought it and the people used it a couple times a summer until they sold the camp, so the motor itself is theoretically pretty low hour. Possibly low maintenance too but I didn’t tell him that