Shift Linkage

[Boobie Trap]

Here is the setup:
Started engines, hosted the anchor, put both engines in gear and away we went. When I started increasing speed I heard one engine over revving more than the other. Port engine was not going in gear. Shut both engines down and placed them in gear. Tried to turn the STBD prop, locked, turn the Port prop, spun freely. Checked cable to both engines, could feel the cable moving on both engines. We go to marina on one engine. Fix it tomorrow. Party time!

Thinking about the problem that night, it is either linkage, drive shaft from engine to out drive OR the neutral button is stuck.
Upon return to the boat, I check the neutral button. It seems OK. I decide to look at the cable. I take off the cover, remove the four screws and pull the throttle quadrant out of the mount. I move the port throttle and then I see the problem. The clamp that holds the cable housing and prevents the whole cable from moving is loose. A screw has backed out and now when the throttle is moved, everything moves accomplishing nothing! YAHOO!!!! Easy fix! I tighten the screw, check the other throttle cable and reassemble. Problem solved.

Thought I would put that out there for others who might have a similar problem!

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Shift Linkage

Are you referring to the clamp at the helm side of the cable, or at the drive side? It is pretty common to not secure the drive-side clamp correctly which results in the same problem. Glad you checked the other side of the cable too even though it is more uncommon! Congrats!

 

[Boobie Trap]

Re: Shift Linkage

Are you referring to the clamp at the helm side of the cable, or at the drive side? It is pretty common to not secure the drive-side clamp correctly which results in the same problem. Glad you checked the other side of the cable too even though it is more uncommon! Congrats!

Yes, it was at the helm. I felt the cable moving the throttle controls on the engine so I thought it might have been the neutral button stuck in. When I took it apart, moved the throttle, I saw immediately that the entire cable assemble was moving and not just the inside cable. The clamp is a little redundant as the cable has to be removed from the housing to get to the screw that holds the clamp bracket in place. I put a little drop of glue on it so that it would not happen again but then again, the boat is 11 years old. Has the cable been removed before? Have no idea but if it has not, I am sure I will see that cable assembly again before to much longer. Now just to figure out how to replace it. Seems like a simple enough job, just time consuming.
I can usually fix things if I can see how it works, then take them apart and then put them back together in order. Thank goodness!!! I have saved myself a ton of money doing that. You know what they say about thing that float or fly right?

I am finding out that it helps to be a "vertically challenged" to get to some of the areas in the engine compartment however!
Thanks!!