Trouble Shifting 200 Opti Into Fwd/Rev

[Gregd72]

I have a 2006 200HP Optimax on a 2006 BassCat Pantera Classic that I purchased used about a year ago. Lately it has been difficult to shift into forward or reverse when I first launch the boat. It takes more force than I like to get it to go into gear.

Funny thing is that after the first run and for the rest of the day, it shifts fine?!?! Just difficult when I first launch the boat.

Any ideas of what could be going on here?

Thanks, Greg

[EuropeanAM]

Greg:

There are several potential causes.

First and Foremost: When was your gear lube last changed, and SPECIFICALLY what lubricant did you utilize?

I recommend ONLY Mercury or Quicksilver HIGH PERFORMANCE gear lube for this engine.

[Gregd72]

Gear lube was changed one year ago by a Merc dealer, when I had the motor get full service right after I bought it. I don't know exactly what lube they used. I've put ~40 hours on the motor since then.


Modified by Gregd72 at 7:10 AM 2/7/2012

[EuropeanAM]

I would recommend changing the gear lube PROMPTLY, utilizing only Mercury or Quicksilver HIGH PERFORMANCE lube.

Then, see how it does.

See the following post for recommended maintenance:

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerot...gines

[Gregd72]

Will do. I was planning on taking it to the dealer for yearly maintenance soon. I'll go ahead and do it tomorrow. I'll also check on what gear lube they use.

Thanks, Greg

[Tom Rollins]

How cold is the atmosperic temperature when you launch, freezing or below? If this happens when first launched when temps are below freezing and goes away after getting motor up to normal operating temps it seems to be normal for many Optis.

[Gregd72]

It HAS been pretty cold when I've launched lately. It was in the high 20's when I put the boat in the water the most recent time I had difficulty shifting. Like I said before, after I let the motor warm up and ran it a bit the problem went away. Is the gear oil thickening up too much or solidifying in the cold air?

[EuropeanAM]

Gear lube does become "thicker" in colder temps.

Nasty/Dirty Gear lube can become SUBSTANTIALLY thicker.

With proper/clean lube, the engine should shift reasonably by the time it comes up to operating temperature.

[taeheel2az]

Trimmed all the way down? They're stickier to shift if partly up. Mine was the same way, adjusting the shift cable under the cowling helped.

[Gregd72]

Yes, trimmed all the way down. I've encountered this recently when I first dump the boat in the water, trim down, and fire it up to pull over to the dock to tie off so I can park the truck. Try to put it in gear and it fights me.

Like I said before. After that first shift and the motor is running for a bit, it shifts fine.

I'm taking it in for yearly service tomorrow so I'll get the gear lube changed. Sounds like that's all I'm really dealing with here.

[Tom Rollins]

I try to just float mine off the trailer while idling and tie up, usually by the time I park and return shifts fine and allows the motor to approach operating temp.
Nephews opti does the same thing.

[taeheel2az]

You might check under the cowling where the end of the shift cable connects to see if the "slider" has a bunch of grease on it. Should have no more than a light film.