2004 YAMAHA 225 OX66 WON'T ENGAGE IN REVERSE

[timhawk29]

Hey Guys, Just bought a new to me Skeeter zx225 with a Yamaha 225 2 stroke, it's got a new powerhead with only 100 hrs and a new lower unit was installed about a year and a half ago.

At the lake Saturday, I get it off the trailer in reverse, pop it back into forward, pick up my buddy at the dock, and go to put it back in reverse and it just makes a grinding sound, will not engage, runs fine in forward, drove all over the lake, never tried reverse again until I got it home. With the engine off and the cowling off i shifted into reverse and then ( I think) I was able to further engage reverse by manually pushing it..

Do I have a linkage issue? or is my lower trashed? anyone around the Mckinney,Tx area that could look at it this week?

Thanks!!

[Amistad Tackle]

Any loose bolts in the bottom of the pan interfering with the shifter. Common issue with this engine. If not may need adjustment or lower issue.