How do I free up a frozen outboard shifter
While I was in the process of reassembling my outboard engine after replacing the impeller, somehow the shift lever on the engine moved out of its normal range for reverse, neutral, and forward gears. When the engine is standing on the skew and you look at it from the left side the shifter lever is stuck in the 900 position. I don't know how to free it up. Can someone help me?
Cars & Trucks
Answers & Comments
Hi Rick:
Don't know what unit you are dealing with, but stuck in my memory is the way the old Merc used to work.
There was a rod that rotated, and the shift mechanism slid into a slot. We only tilted removed the bottom end with the shifter in the forward position.
You may need to drop the bottom end to allow the shifter to be placed in the correct position.
I'm hoping that you are using the term "frozen" to describe "blocked", as another total PITA can happen when portions of the assembly become corroded. Loosening them up requires tha delicate balance of heat, penetrating oil, and brute force. Bearing in mind you don't want to set it on fire or break it.
I'd try dropping the bottom end, engage it in forward, place the shifter in forward, and carefully slide the bottom end back on.
Hope this helps.
cheers
Thx. I tried with and without the bottom end on before it slipped into its current position when it was all together i had neiutral and reverse but no forward
I am very familiar with the delicate touch because i have a 1987 4hp i did an impeller replace on. I might have to bring it in for repair. Thank you for trying