Lower Unit Or Linkage Problem

[tv tom]

i have a unique problem no one seems able to fix. the last two winters my 2004 yamaha 4 stroke will not go into reverse in temperatures less than 32 degrees-it just chatters. i have been to two different yamaha dealers. the first changed lower unit grease. did not help. the other place took it apart and found everything good. then noticed 2 screws on linkage loose ,tightened them and i thought problem was solved. but this winter it did the same thing. this morning when it was 26 degrees forward would not work either. but after motor warms up i had forward and late in day i tried reverse and it worked. everyone tells me temperature has nothing to do with it but i had no touble all summer. they also say it is the linkage but it seems ok. i am ready to buy a mercury but would like to find out what's wrong. if anyone knows of this problem and solution i would appreciate it. thanks tv tom

[GNSfishing]

Buying the Mercury will fix the problem..... What you are describing sounds screwy to say the least.....

[merc1997 Bo]

sure sounds to be a viscosity problem if everything works during warm weather. you can check sitting on trailer. shift into gear either way and see if prop locks up. did you happen to get to see how the lube looked when it was drained??

bo

[fishinwrench]

Sounds like someone pulled the gearcase off (maybe to install a fresh impeller????) and didn't get the shift rod splines aligned right. Pretty common DIY error on Mercs and Yamaha's, and fairly easy to rectify if you know what you're doing.

90w gear lube gets pretty thick when it's cold, so when it's warm the gear lugs are probably catching just enough cog to spin the gear. Get it fixed ASAP or you'll round off the clutch dog and gearset cogs.

[merc1997 Bo]

Sounds like someone pulled the gearcase off (maybe to install a fresh impeller????) and didn't get the shift rod splines aligned right. Pretty common DIY error on Mercs and Yamaha's, and fairly easy to rectify if you know what you're doing.

90w gear lube gets pretty thick when it's cold, so when it's warm the gear lugs are probably catching just enough cog to spin the gear. Get it fixed ASAP or you'll round off the clutch dog and gearset cogs.

that sounds to be a very good answer. good advice on getting it resolved before there are more problems and expense.

bo

[Champ188]

I'd take what wrench says to heart. He knows his business and is very kind to pass along lots of good advice here.

[dblades]

If the splines are off, it'd never go into gear or only one gear. I vote thick grease and tight tolerances..

[fishinwrench]

If the splines are off, it'd never go into gear or only one gear. I vote thick grease and tight tolerances..

Actually yeah it will....Here's the scenario:

Guy removes lower unit, replaces water pump or whatever... and reinstalls the lower unit, Shifting is off so he compensates by adjusting the shift cable barrels, gets it to shift (static) and calls it "a job well done".

I see it all the time.

There are other LIKELY possibilitys such as the bearing carrier either has been removed and not re-seated properly (allowing the propshaft to have too much end play), or the carrier retainer is broken and the carrier (and p. shaft) has slid back.

OR there could be a broken cam in the control box assembly.

OR it could be that the owner has crappy shifting practices and after several years of it he has damaged both fwd. AND rev. gear cogs simultaneously.

Or something has broken inside the gearcase and a chunk of it is floating around in there.

Thick cold lube can exaggerate a problem, but it's not gonna create one that doesn't already exist.

Make sense?

[dblades]

"Shifting is off so he compensates by adjusting the shift cable barrels,"

I would assume he'd have know if he'd made any other adjustments.

[fishinwrench]

"Shifting is off so he compensates by adjusting the shift cable barrels,"

I would assume he'd have know if he'd made any other adjustments.

If HE did it....Yeah. But didn't he mention that he had someone else tear into it?

Whatever IDGAF ! I hate 4-strokes anyway . I was just throwing in my typical line of BS so take it for what it's worth.

Change the lube and let us know how it goes. LOL