will not engage forward with engine running on baffles

[ggill]

I have a 1982 mercruiser 140. With the engine running on the trailer, it will not engage in forward. It will engage with the engine off. I took off the lower cable and it moved freely and will engage both forward and reverse with the engine off. I have not had the boat very long and have only had it in the water twice and did not have any issues engaging the transmission. I have read a few posts that hint that being out of the water is different than in the water as far as the outboard unit shifting correctly. Is this true? I did recently replace the impeller. If I did not get everything aligned back properly, would it still engage at all?

 

[alldodge]

I have read a few posts that hint that being out of the water is different than in the water as far as the outboard unit shifting correctly. Is this true?

No

I did recently replace the impeller. If I did not get everything aligned back properly, would it still engage at all?

Yes

Most likely your problem is things where not aligned correctly or shift foot got bent.

Did you pull the drive and then separate the lower to replace the impeller?
If you did pull the drive did you move the throttle to full forward before pulling?

 

[ggill]

No


Yes

Most likely your problem is things where not aligned correctly or shift foot got bent.

Did you pull the drive and then separate the lower to replace the impeller?
If you did pull the drive did you move the throttle to full forward before pulling?

I did separate the lower and upper units. I know that I did put it in drive before dropping the lower unit. Is it possible to disengage the unit while assembling the lower and upper units?

 

[alldodge]

Your saying, the drive was not pulled, just the lower unit dropped?

 

[mr 88]

As mentioned,you probably did not line up the shift boot with the channel it goes in . Control should be in the forward position and the bronze boot should be facing straight forward. You can see it going on properly with a flashlight and lying on the ground. The lowered unit can be tightened up with the two parts not lined up .

 

[ggill]

Your saying, the drive was not pulled, just the lower unit dropped?

Correct, I did pull the drive just lowered the bottom unit to access the impeller

 

[alldodge]

Correct, I did pull the drive just lowered the bottom unit to access the impeller

That is a which way did he go statement

I asked did you pull the "entire" drive

And you just lowered the lower end. It doesn't work

 

[ggill]

That is a which way did he go statement

I asked did you pull the "entire" drive

And you just lowered the lower end. It doesn't work

I did not pull the entire drive

 

[alldodge]

I did not pull the entire drive

Ok then it didn't matter if you were in forward or not. When reinstalling the shift foot needed to be in same position as when removed.

If it was in forward then foot needed to be turned ccw to lock position when reinstall

 

[ggill]

Ok then it didn't matter if you were in forward or not. When reinstalling the shift foot needed to be in same position as when removed.

If it was in forward then foot needed to be turned ccw to lock position when reinstall

so when you lift the lower unit up to the upper unit is it an all-or-nothing situation, it either is aligned or not aligned? I still don't understand why the engine running has anything to do with forward gear engaging, It will engage with the engine not running but will not when the engine is running. any thoughts on that?

 

[alldodge]

Unable to say without actually touching but most likely it needs adjusting. If cable is old it may need replaced. Does it go into reverse running?

 

[ggill]

Unable to say without actually touching but most likely it needs adjusting. If cable is old it may need replaced. Does it go into reverse running?

yes it will go into reverse. When I try to engage forward, there is a clicking sound like it is trying to engage. I'm going to drop the lower unit and re-align the shafts. If that doesn't work I'm thinking lower cable. If I had to guess it is probably the original cable. Thanks for all your input, I do appreciate it. I have worked on vehicles all my life but this is my first boat.

 

[alldodge]

Don't see the need to drop the lower again. Appears the shift foot is in place. Can look at it and see if its in place.

With it clicking means it almost is engaging. Try readjusting cable and if that doesn't fix then it needs the lower cable. Most likely would be best to replace anyway