Lower Unit or Linkage?

[rlowhorn]

I purchased my boat a few months ago. It is a older Stratos (1989 I think) and has a Johnson 150 xp. The boat runs really good, once you get it there. When I start the motor, and it takes a while for it to warm up, it goes into reverse smoothly but not true with forward. When I shift into forward there is initially nothing. It I shift back into reverse it seems to help it go into forward but not always. Eventually it will go into forward but sometimes it will then jump out. Once I get it into forward and moving it runs really good. What are the possibilities? Someone told me it could just be an adjustment on linkage. I am about to change the lower unit oil for season. Ideas on what I should look for and thoughts on what the problems might be. Also, thoughts on why the motor is so hard to get warmed up would be nice.

[billnorman1]

I'd give the linkage a shot. Better fix it before it takes the forward dogs off the clutch.

[rlowhorn]

Can you give me some pointers or location for information on linkage adjustments?

[rchavis]

Post this over in the OMC form ....there are some good OMC Tech over there .

[ChampioNman]

In case you don't get to post over there. Remove the motor cover. On the right side of the air intake box, you will see two cables coming into the motor. The lowe cable is for the shift linkage. Place the shifter into neutral and then loosen the 3/8" bolt that clamps the cable to the motor and remove the 3/8" nylon lock nut onto the shift post. Remove the shift cable from the shift linkage. WITHOUT the motor running. Spin the prop with your foot and move the linkage forward and see if the prop locks up properly. Then while spinning the prop with your foot shift to neutral and while still spinning move the linkage backwards to reverse. See if it locks in OK. If so, then spin the prop one more time to neutral and spin it so you hear no ratcheting from the gearcase. Once the sweet spot is found attach the cable end to the post and if needed adjust the large black Trunion knob so that it fits nicely into the trunion clamp and cradle on the air box. Spin the prop again while someone uses the shift lever on the boat to verify your adjustment.

[rlowhorn]

In case you don't get to post over there. Remove the motor cover. On the right side of the air intake box, you will see two cables coming into the motor. The lowe cable is for the shift linkage. Place the shifter into neutral and then loosen the 3/8" bolt that clamps the cable to the motor and remove the 3/8" nylon lock nut onto the shift post. Remove the shift cable from the shift linkage. WITHOUT the motor running. Spin the prop with your foot and move the linkage forward and see if the prop locks up properly. Then while spinning the prop with your foot shift to neutral and while still spinning move the linkage backwards to reverse. See if it locks in OK. If so, then spin the prop one more time to neutral and spin it so you hear no ratcheting from the gearcase. Once the sweet spot is found attach the cable end to the post and if needed adjust the large black Trunion knob so that it fits nicely into the trunion clamp and cradle on the air box. Spin the prop again while someone uses the shift lever on the boat to verify your adjustment.

I did exactly as you said. This is exactly what happened. I put the shifter in neutral, as it was set. I then disconnected the linkage. Then I pushed the lever backward into reverse. The propeller would not spin. I pulled the lever back towards neutral while spinning the propeller. Continued until I had no sound with the movement of the propeller. I then tried to move it into forward. I could not get it to go into forward at all. I moved it as far as I could get with my hand and as I turned the propeller I could fill the gears but it would not catch. So I moved it back to reverse. Then found the sweet spot from reverse. The cable end that had been left from the initial putting it into neutral did not line up with this spot so I adjusted the linkage to that sweet spot, hoping this would get it to a point where the shifter would pull it into forward. After making the adjustment I reinstalled the lock nut and put the knob back into the cradle and clamped it down. I then tried both reverse and forward without the motor running and it stopped the propellar for both. I then started the motor and it did shift nicely. How would the cable get so far out? Has it stretched that much. Also, should I be able to shift it into forward by hand? Does this indicated wear in the gearing? I am changing the gear oil at this time. I did not notice any large amounts of metal in the drained oil. A few on the magnet put nothing I would think unusual. Any thoughts or am I okay? Thanks again for the help.

[ChampioNman]

I'd say you are fine. Usually, a cable will not get installed properly from the beginning. You have to watch the bend in the cable as you can get up to 1/4" travel on the cable end which is a lot. If left unattended, the mis-adjustment can cause premature wear on the clutch dogs in the gearcase.