Throttle hard to move

[rdny041285]

I have a 83 wellcraft with a 93 johnson motor, my issue is. I try to push the throttle forward and it is very hard to push and when i pull back for reverse its the same toughness. Im thinking that it could be 1 of 2 things. either the cables were never switched out when the motor was put on and maybe it is not the right size, or maybe they are just too old. the shifter moves great when it is not hooke up to the cable so i know it isnt the shifter. any input?

 

[westfloridapirate]

Re: Throttle hard to move

I have a 83 wellcraft with a 93 johnson motor, my issue is. I try to push the throttle forward and it is very hard to push and when i pull back for reverse its the same toughness. Im thinking that it could be 1 of 2 things. either the cables were never switched out when the motor was put on and maybe it is not the right size, or maybe they are just too old. the shifter moves great when it is not hooke up to the cable so i know it isnt the shifter. any input?

The first thing I'd check is to see if there is an adjustment/drag on the throttle itself - we don't want it too free so it creeps with vibration, so many manufacturers have a friction adjustment. Also, I personally feel stupid if I go through a lot of other work and miss something really simple (hey, I'm lazy). If that isn't the case, the next issue is that the cable wasn't maintained/lubricated. Try a shot of light oil like gun oil (it won't get gummy). I'm a little leery of wd-40 as it eventually dissipates but it does repel water; it may be worth a try. Work the throttle to "walk" the lube down. No, don't squirt until it runs out the other end, either as any dirt will be put into suspension and literally gum everything up. Those are the simple solutions. Otherwise, it's cable time.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Throttle hard to move

If you are attempting to move the lever without the engine running you are running the risk of damaging things. Gears cannot engage if they are not lined up properly. Have some one spin the prop (engine not running obviously) when you attempt to shift. If the engine is running when you try to shift, then disconnect the cable and shift the engine manually. If it still shifts hard then there is an engine issuel. The lever on the engine should snap into gear smartly. It should not take much pressure to do so. Again, like a stick shift car, you can't always move the shifter if the gears are not lined up properly.

 

[rdny041285]

Re: Throttle hard to move

by "shifting the engine manually" you mean to go back to where the cable connects and disconnect it and then move parts at the engine while running? I did try to spray with a WD-40 like product but didnt seem to work. If the gears are not lined up correctly, is it a long procedure?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Throttle hard to move

When was the last time you changed the gear oil?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Throttle hard to move

You've already said the control box moves freely when the cables are disconnected. So now the point is to disconnect the shift cable and shift the engine manually -- as in move the the lever on which the shift cable was connected while someone turns the prop by hand. FOR GOSH SAKES -- DO NOT HAVE THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE SOMEONE IS ATTEMPTING TO DO THIS. I should not have to say that but I can actually envision someone doing that and chopping up a buddy (and a not very bright one at that). You can certainly do the same thing with the engine running but keep your dogs, kids, drunken friends and anything/anyone else away from the spinning prop. If the engine now shifts fine you proabably have a simple cable adjustment problem. If it doesn't shift ok, you have a lower unit problem. There is no "gear alignment" procedure. Gear alignment (actually clutch dog) alignment is merely the way things are aligned when the engine last stopped. Sometimes you can shift with the engine off and sometimes you can't. That is why I'm telling you to turn the prop as that helps get things lined up. To make this as simple as possible -- point the fingers on each hand directly at each other. If you tried to mesh them, you couldn't. Now if you moved one hand up or down slightly the fingers on one hand would mesh with those on the other. Attach a shift linkage to one hand it the concept should be immediately clear.

 

[rdny041285]

Re: Throttle hard to move

What i meant was starting the engine and then moving the lever while it was running...(not the part with someone getting close to the prop...) im a newb mechanic for boats but im not a stupid one lol. so far ever since i bought the boat, it has been stiff but ive taken it out and it runs fine but its always hard to put in gear. I already tried to switch out the throttle control so that isnt the problem. will try the other stuff this weekend. (with everyone clear of the prop...lol)

 

[grego]

Re: Throttle hard to move

Never! use a liguid lube on cables. It will atract rust, dust, sand, and tend to stick. use a dry lube, graphite is the best. Just keep moving cable as you add graphite. Look at changing those cables.