outboard hard to get out of forward sometimes

[Greg Clusiau]

I have a 1997 50hp Yamaha 4-stroke that is sometimes hard to get out of forward, when pulling up to the dock, etc. Sometimes it's okay and sometimes not. I had two different repair shops look at it and they couldn't find anything wrong with it? I sometimes have to shut the thing off so I can get it in neutral. It shifts from reverse to neutral just fine. Any ideas?

[Ed Carlson]

I'm assuming this is a councel steer set up...if so, it may be the linkage adjustment? Does it ever appear to have difficulty going into reverse or ever tend to pop out of reverse?

Another thing may be if it idles high in the neutral position, if so that may effect it from shifting from forward back into neutral as well.

But the shop should have caught all of this?

[boatfixer]

greg, any idea what rpms its idling at? Too high cause that.

[Greg Clusiau]

The last folks that looked at it turned the idling down so much that it kept dying on the lake. It was under 500 rpms and still didn't correct the problem. We took it back out last night and turned it back up a notch so I could back troll without any problems. Thank you.

[walleyemaniac]

Have you ever found savings in the lower unit? Syncro's got bad in mine and had that problem but it also went into gear hard too. '88 Yammy 90hp

Just a thought...

[Greg Clusiau]

Never did see any shavings when I did it myself. Had it serviced at local marine dealers a couple of times and they never said anything.

[walleyehunter80]

its your linkage coming out of your motor to your lower unit

[walleyehunter80]

if you have questions you can call me, 507 381 5745 josh

[walleyemaniac]

I was thinking linkage as well but he said he had 2 dealers look at it. figured it was something past the linkage.

I didn't see the shavings in mine either, very very fine stuff, but the mechanic noticed it and gave him cause to dig deaper. Night and day differance when I got it back.

Hope it's simpler then that for ya. They had to pull the lower unit all apart to do it, not to cheap. Good luck!!

Just thinking after I posted this...bent shift fork, maybe??

[Greg Clusiau]

Oops, sorry Ed. I should have mentioned that this is a tiller model. We've played with the idling too and it doesn't help. A real puzzler?

[Greg Clusiau]

Thanks guys. I was hoping someone on FM would be able to help. Lots of knowledgeable folks on here.

Josh ~ I will be calling you, probably when I get off of work today, after 2 pm, if that's okay.

[Ed Carlson]

Then it is likely a internal linkage thing...the Shift Dog I think they call it? Does it feel tight or is there some slop/play in it? Have they ever split it and see if anything was worn or bent inside?

I had a motor that did that and it was just a Polly bushing that was worn and it cost me $40 for a new gasket and the bushing to get here back in good shape again.

Another thing could be the lube you use in the lower case? If it was what they recommend or does it require an odd light viscosity or weight oil....some do. Too thick of lube may cause shifting issues too.

I'm no expert on this...pure speculation here on my part bud...a good Yamaha Marine Tech should nail down it peaty quickly.

[Greg Clusiau]

It feels "normal", not sloppy or real tight. Haven't noticed any difference either way. Standard lower-unit lube has been always used.

[walleyehunter80]

have you fixed it yet? I still think its a very simple fix (linkage) anytime you want to call I can have you take a look at it and walk you through it over phone. You will know if it is it in 30 seconds

[marine_man]

It sure sounds like an issue internal to the gear case to me... I presume that the linkage / adjustment on the motor side (where the cables run from the tiller to the motor) are correct?

marine_man