Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

[Rdye]

Ok im new here and a first time boater. I have a 1988 24ft Crest III pontoon with a either 1976 or 1977 seahorse 115 hp motor. I took it out for the first time today and noticed right away that the boat would not move in reverse. The water was churning so i believe the prop was spinning and i know it spins with the muffs on. Had absolutely no problem in forward. This boat sat for 2 years before i got it. I have checked a lot of the forums and read a lot about linkage but im not sure if that is my problem or not. Do any of yall have any Ideas?

Thanks,
Robby Dye

 

[SolingSailor]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Well, since no more knowledgeable person has replied yet, I will give my thoughts. Is it possible the churning you are seeing is the underwater exhaust? The gears may be jumping out of reverse under load, and not turning the prop in reverse.

Pretty soon the experts here will tell you to get the OEM service manual, and maybe how to adjust the shift linkage for your motor.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Release the emergency brake. Untie the mooring lines.

Sorry. Couldn't resist! Welcome to the forums, and like he said...the experts will be along shortly!

 

[dew2]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

with a toon that large and in reverse a prop really isnt set, as in pitch to deliever reverse power? Was it moving at all?
You might stop the motor,tilt it up,put the shift in reverse then try turning the prop,It shouldn't turn easily.I could be wrong but outboards just arent set up for running backwards,Its the prop designed for forward.

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

I feel kinda dumb but i bet it is the exhaust churning the water. The only movement i get in reverse is if the wind is blowing in my face. if its at my back im going forward. I couldnt even back it off the trailer. I had to float out in the water until i could turn the the thing around. Where is the best place for me to find a manual? I googled it but came up with nothing. I am not a mechanic but with a manual and a few instructions i feel pretty confident i can fix it if i can figure out what exactly is wrong. Thanks for all your help. I have another question and im not sure if i should start a new thread but here it goes. The motor has no tilt trim? My brother in law looked at the motor and said it has it but it isnt hooked up. I cant find any controls for it but he said there is pistons? and a cable that i havent yet traced. Does that sound right to you guys? thanks for helping me out here

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

with a toon that large and in reverse a prop really isnt set, as in pitch to deliever reverse power? Was it moving at all?
You might stop the motor,tilt it up,put the shift in reverse then try turning the prop,It shouldn't turn easily.I could be wrong but outboards just arent set up for running backwards,Its the prop designed for forward.

Where did you come up with that theory, if they were not designed to run in reverse then thousands of other boats that people own would not go in reverse either.

A prop can "turn" while the motor is running on muffs while set in neutral just from vibration alone, your problem seems to indicate a slipping issue. Inspect the prop and check for slippage.

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

I tried to spin the prop with it in reverse. It turned freely to the right. when i try to turn it to the left it is difficult and when it finally moves i can hear what sounds like the motor turning over.

 

[SolingSailor]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Try to find the exact year of your motor.
Buy only the original Johnson/Evinrude manual, not Clymer or Seloc.
I found my service manual on eBay, but you can also try www.outboardbooks.com.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Here's a couple of things to try. With the engine idling in neutral (either on muffs or in the water) shift it into reverse, then shut it off. Without touching anything see if you can rotate the prop by hand (shouldn't be able to).

It's possible your problem is as simple as the shift cable being out of adjustment. To check for that disconnect the shift cable end from the engine shift linkage, make sure the shift linkage is centered in the neutral position, and make sure the shifter is in neutral with the cable end at the center of it's "play". The shift cable end should be exactly lined up with the shift linkage, if not adjust the trunion nut until it is.

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Ok i been out messing with it today. I found a date on the carb that says 1976. Upon further inspection i do believe it has something to do with the linkage. I was able to take the cable loose and manually shift it with ease and it locked in place in both forward and reverse. So im thinking this is good news. Problem is i adjusted the nut and was able to get it to lock in reverse but then wouldnt lock in forward so i adjusted just a small amount the other way and it would not lock into forward or reverse.

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

I dont know all the correct terminology so bear with me. The linkage cable on the motor end right after the adjustment nut the cable runs into a larger rubber sleeve and then that sleeve attaches to the linkage on the motor. There is play on that rubber sleeve where i can pull on it and get it to lock in place. Almost as if the cable is stretched or something. Does this sound like i need a new cable? And by the way on yalls advice I ordered my service manual today. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Lets start this with the proper cable adjustment procedure.

1) Throttle/Shift lever in neutral.
2) Remove engine cover.
3) Disconnect the SHIFT cable at the shift linkage on the engine.
4) Move the shift linkage on the engine to forward-neutral-reverse and then back to NEUTRAL.
5) Bring the attachment point on the shift cable up to the attachment point on the linkage. DO NOT PUSH OR PULL on anything to make it line up. You are just checking for alignment of the two points.
6) The ONLY cable adjustment is the TRUNION (threaded wheel) on the cable. If the two attachment points don't line up EXACTLY, adjust the trunion to lengthen or shorten the cable SHEATH until the two points are in PERFECT alignment..
7) Attach the cable and now see if it works ok. WARNING: Never move the shift lever without the engine running or unless someone is turning the prop. Failure to do so results in too much force being placed on the every part in the system if the clutch dogs in the lower unit are not lined up to permit engagement.

Since you know the unit can be shifted properly with the cable disconnected, and if you adjusted the cable properly, it should be ok. If not, there is wear or slop somewhere in the system. Replacement of worn parts is the solution. A new cable will not compensate for wear in other parts of the system.

 

[Big flop]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

When shifted into reverse how many
rpm is it turning? Can it rev way up?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Ok i been out messing with it today. I found a date on the carb that says 1976. Upon further inspection i do believe it has something to do with the linkage. I was able to take the cable loose and manually shift it with ease and it locked in place in both forward and reverse. So im thinking this is good news. Problem is i adjusted the nut and was able to get it to lock in reverse but then wouldnt lock in forward so i adjusted just a small amount the other way and it would not lock into forward or reverse.

Was the motor actually running when you shifted into F and R?

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

no the motor was not running. I shifted it and spun the propeller. I just went and followed Silvertip's instructions exactly. when i adjusted the cable so it would line up in neutral I reattached the cable and tried it. Still doesnt have enough oomph to push the shifter to reverse. How much pressure should it take to go into gear? It seems when i do it manually it a little difficult to shift it like it needs to be greased or something

 

[AlTn]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Looking at boats.net, it seems the 115 wasn't offered in 1976 and 1977 shows the gearcase being the hydro assist? gearcase < has an oil pump>...as stated above by Silvertip and others..don't try shifting without the driveshaft/propshaft turning. The only thing I know aboout the lower units with hydro assist?, is what I've read on here. They seem pretty mean to work on.

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

its a 1976 no hydro assist model #115EL76

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

is there something i can grease on the shifter on the motor to make it shift easier?

 

[dew2]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

I dont see this question any where am I wrong? When you had the remote cables off did you try to shift it at the motor?
I see you adjusted the cable and at one point you had no gears.Is this motor a side shift lever? If it shifts at the motor, it should be the remote cables.If it doesn't have you looked at adjusting the upper shift shaft rod so when its centered its in neutral.
You say its a 1976 Johnson 115EL76 I cant find anything listed as 76 had a 115?? How did you determine this and where are you looking for a parts/schematic to say it has no shift assist?
Does the motor have a ID tag on the mount? how about the welch plug whats stamped on it?

 

[Rdye]

Re: Pontoon does not move in reverse but prop spins

Yes it I shifted it at the motor and it went into all the gears although it did require more effort to shift than i had anticipated. ID tag on the mount says 115EL76G. While googling and trying to find more info on the motor I found that it was left of bombardier list? Im not real educated about outboards. It says Seahorse V4 115hp on the hood.