Trouble Shifting into Reverse on 1998 25hp Mercury Tiller

Here's how I would tackle this problem.

Step one: Load motor into truck
Step two: Drive to liquer store to pick up (cold) beer.
Step three: Proceed to fiance's father's house.

See how easy that was?  

-T

 

Take the cowling off
move the shift mechanism slowly
watch what moves and where it moves
look for the point where a mechanical clamping device has slipped
it may be a set screw or bolt
you'll be able to see the original location of the clamp
by the scratches on the connecting part
simple mechanical retrace-ing of shift activation
plus you'll understand what is happening in the future

 

Just making sure here, are you talking about when the motor is running it has trouble shifting?

 

if you dont mind me asking.... when and where did you get this motor?

 

i may be late on this lil thread...

but fwiw...

ive always been told to never shift a motor into reverse while not running....not exactly sure what the reason is, but might be some advice worth researching...

brett?? googlemiester?? can you confirm this or shoot this down??

 

I've heard the same about not shifting into reverse.
Shifting into forward is ok. Anytime I wanted to shift into gear
when the engine is not running it was always into forward.
Basic rule of mechanics: If it don't go easy...it don't go.

middle of page regarding trailering

http://www.mercuryracing.com/techcorners/outboardfaqs.php

Never shift into reverse if engine is not running in section on Gear Shifting:

www.brunswickmarineemea.com/filereader/file/pdf/4/enen/outboard/2008/accessories/899988.pdf

 

Probably not, unless you have been forcing it.
If it don't go easy, it don't go.

If you can still shift gears you're probably ok.
The last 200 feet to the dock ought to be at dead slow.
I usually paddle the last 20 feet, it's easier than shifting
in and out of gear, and avoids impact at warp speeds.

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=shift+rod+adjustment+outboard

 

I responded to your bragging thread post, but then read this. I don't know how well I can explain this, but if we were standing next to the motor I could show you in 20 seconds.

Take a look at this picture...

That's my merc lower unit, and the smaller silver rod on the right is the shift linkage rod. Yours should be similar. It runs from the lower unit up to under the cowling where it's connected to the shift mechanism with a pin. When the rod moves up, it shifts the lower unit into gear (I can't remember whether up is forward or reverse, but it doesn't matter for this discussion) and when it moves down, it first goes into neutral first and then into gear in the opposite direction. When you reinstall the lower unit, there are some pretty specific measurements for the length of that shift rod, and you're supposed to adjust it before you reassemble the motor.

About halfway up the shift rod, there is an adjustable clamp that engages/disengages the trim lock lever when the shift rod moves up and down. When set correctly, this prevents the motor from flipping up while in reverse. You may have to loosen or remove this clamp to make any adjustments, so just be aware it's there.

Now, I'm not saying this is your problem, but it could be. So, try to picture how the tiller handle rotates and adjusts the throttle accordingly. Well, the shift rod has to be adjusted so it matches the tiller's throttle adjustment. For example, shift rod in neutral position has to match throttle in idle position. If not, stuff like you're seeing will happen. Plus, if it's far enough out of adjustment, it may never move the shift rod far enough to engage reverse.

If you remove the pin under the cowling and loosen the trim lock clamp, you may be able to twist the shift rod and adjust it. If you can't do it like that, then the lower unit may have to come off. At the very least, you should be able to remove the pin and push/pull the shift rod up and down manually, to make sure it shifts like it's supposed to.

 

yo murphy, the reason i asked where and when you got this motor was because a while back i sold a similar motor to a guy and shortly afterwards i found a peice of linkage that i suspect fell off the motor while changing the plugs. i couldnt find his number to call him and tell him of my findings . just wondering if perhaps this could be the same motor???

 

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury_parts/368/40.cfm

That's the shift link, the elbow identifies it.
The throttle link is the straight one next to it.
Should be tight enough to transfer load,
loose enough to not bind.