gears not shifting properly from neutral into forward

2006 60hp E-tec ~ 2500 hours

This problem started yesterday intermittently throughout the day.

When the controls are moved from the neutral position to the "in forward gear" position, the engine does not go into gear and some "complaining" is felt & heard, but if you push the controls a tad forward more the engine shifts into forward gear. If you just push the controls from neutral up past this "in gear" position it goes into gear fine....

Any thoughts on what the likely possibilities are? I am really hoping it is a simple cable adjustment rather than a problem with worn gears or something of that nature.

This is the same gear case that I had a problem with last year where I had to redrill the top gearoil hole, retap and install a helicoil. Grease was used on the drill bit, and the gearcase flushed with diesel to reduce any metal shavings that would have dropped in....I have also had several oil changes since then and have not had any problem with metal shavings or water intrusions.

I also had an unusual overheat condition on that engine yesterday when it was going at full throttle but it did not recur. I had one on the other engine last month - I tend to assume that these occasional overheats are not something to be too concerned about. If it recurs I will look at replacing the water pump &/or pressure relief valve (if necessary)

The boat is currently in the water & fishing commercially.

Just some additional info -

the gears shift fine and easily from neutral to reverse....

My mechanic came by yesterday and adjusted the plastic nut on the cable slightly and it appears to be going in gear smoothly now.....the fisherman are going to haul fish traps today so I will keep my fingers crossed that it all goes fine....

Thanks...

ok, so now the engine is shifting gears fine.....

and now the other engine that never gave any problems shifting gears, is giving problems shifting into forward gear....I adjusted the nut, I guess a bit too much, since now the engine is giving problems shifting into reverse, but shifts into forward fine....

Is this a common problem??? or rather, is this a normal part of maintenance? seems a bit odd that both of my engines would do this after approx 2500 hours each, independently of one another...

Could be just cable stretch after that many hours and use..

What Rick said, sounds like you adjusted the other one too far. Back off that last adjustment a little and you should be fine. You are racking up some hours on'em engines!!!!! http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

not sure I like all of these little adjustments though.....thinking about replacing the control cables for each engine (gear selection cable only).....might save me money in the long run....

thing is, is that none of the other fishermen have had to replace control cables for this reason....people generally only replace them when they break...