Volvo Penta SX only goes forward

[Herron]

Just bought a 2004 glastron 185 with a volvo penta sx and 4.3GXi. We test drove it and skied behind it with no problem. However my first splash with it on my own, I have two problems. The second run of skiing my son, when I took it out of gear, it idles in forward gear. When I go to reverse it acts as if I were in forward, and in forward it works as expected. If I push the button to engage in nutral, it still acts as if it were in forward, and locks out the starter as if I were trying to start in gear. There was no bumps or clunks to indicate anything had happened. and it worked fine when we tested it prior to purchase.

The second issue is I noticed oil in the bilge, and it appears to be very low on the engine. maybe the oil pan gasket or something. I will have to do more inspection to really trace that down. My big concern is the possible linkage issue, and why it would happen out of the blue like that.

I should also mention that the hour meter is only at 66, and I think it is accruate. However the guy I bought it from also said there was no oil leakage. (I noticed a film in the bilge and asked. Pretty sure he was lying about that)

Rodbolt seemed to have energy on this subject a couple years ago. Any words of wisdom?

Thanks,
Mark.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta SX only goes forward

Pull the back cover off the drive and see if the shift mechanism is moving.
Could be the shift cable attachment clamp came loose on the side of the drive bellhousing.

why it would happen out of the blue like that.

Everything always works fine, just before something breaks.

 

[Herron]

Re: Volvo Penta SX only goes forward

Thanks, I'll check that as soon as I get home. I hope it is just something simple like that.

 

[Herron]

Re: Volvo Penta SX only goes forward

Thanks for the help. This turned out to be a non issue. I pulled he cover as recommended, and nothing moved when I adjusted the throttle lever, so I crawled into the gunnel with my head and found that the cable coller bracket had rattled loose and dropped the nut in the gunnel. So after a bunch of manuvering with a screw driver head and a 1/4 in wrench (all I could get to fit up there), I re attached it and all is good with it.

So back to the other problem, which looks like it will be a lot more complicated and propably expensive. I will start another thread called "Oil leak around Raw water pump on Volvo 4.3GL".

Thanks again for the help.

Mark.