Drives not working correctly

[tgilmore99]

I have had little issues with this boat. All of a sudden my port side engine will barely Idle, won't shift into reverse. If you start the motor and put it in neutral just to rev engine up, it will cut out and die. You can not push the throttle shifter down for reverse because it won't go past the neutral position. My starboard engine runs and that drive won't disengage the prop at any position of the lever. I am not sure where to start. I really need some help on this one. I can answer any questions thrown my way to help. Thanks

 

[skibum]

Idle Air Control Valve - you'll need an allen wrench to change it.

Michael

 

[Presentation]

I have had little issues with this boat. All of a sudden my port side engine will barely Idle, won't shift into reverse. If you start the motor and put it in neutral just to rev engine up, it will cut out and die. You can not push the throttle shifter down for reverse because it won't go past the neutral position. My starboard engine runs and that drive won't disengage the prop at any position of the lever. I am not sure where to start. I really need some help on this one. I can answer any questions thrown my way to help. Thanks

Port engine, Carbs or fuel injection? If fuel injection, yes, sounds like the IAC. Under $100 and a DIY job.

Starboard engine - did both of these issues begin at the same time? This sounds unrelated. What drive? Alpha? Shift cable would be my guess.

 

[fc3]

Hey guys! No EFI in 85! You gotta lay off that iac stuff. It's not the root of all engine evils.

Either your carburetor is way out of adjustment, in which case it will probably need a rebuild, or the shift cable and shift interrupts is the problem. Could also be a problem with the engine to drive shift cable binding up.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Presentation]

....! You gotta lay off that iac stuff. It's not the root of all ...evils...

Wes, Frank is cranky. I think it’s his IAC again.
:smt043


If carbs then its not the IAC.

 

[tgilmore99]

Sorry Guys I know I am not giving all the facts too you. My engines --OMC 5.7L
Carbs. I took the family out. we got to the cove to enjoy the day. As we got there I notice the port engine would not go into reverse. Thought it was weird. Thought about it and I am pretty sure I did not hit anything. So as we were leaving I tried again and it would not go into rev. I have to put pressure on the handle to get the neutral switch so it would start. If you pull handle out to disengage the drive, it will barely idol. But if you put it in the forward position it will run but does make a rattle noise.

 

[fc3]

Sounds like the shift cable. The OMC drive is close, but not the same as the Merc. Can't help you too much with them.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[Dirtguy]

Can you disconnect the drive cable at the drive and make the gear changes?
How does does the shift cable connect to the carb? What kind of shift system do you have? Individual gear and throttle? Or combination type handles?


DG

 

[tgilmore99]

combo throttle and gear

Will try to look at the problem this weekend. Will try to see if i can disconnect cable and change gears .

 

[keokie]

It may be in the drive. Rattles and knocks are bad in outdrives (terrible in OMC's). Years ago I experienced a similar problem on an OMC powered boat. Only, it would run fine in reverse, but would not go into forward. It turned out to be a mangled forward gear. That's for the port side.

On the starboard side, it may just be a problem with the shift cable.

In any event, drain the oil in both drives. If it is "sparkly" they need to be opened.