Cable controls maintenance

[Northern Tim]

I've not been on here for quite a while so hi to all you lovely people!

My boat has been standing all winter in the garage. The throttle and gearshift are very stiff - is it possible to lubricate the cables? If so, how?
I've checked under the cowl, and all seems ok and free enough, so I'm presuming it's the cables.

Thanks in advance for all your expert knowledge,
Tim

[Hightower]

I think that people have in the past tried to lubricate their cables with different levels of success. I think the end result in most cases was the same though, a replacement cable/s. I would disconnect either end and make sure it wasn't the throttle/gear linkage at the control and engine first though.

[Northern Tim]

That's what I feared. Thanks.

Any other offers?

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Northern Tim

That's what I feared. Thanks.

Any other offers?

Do check the linkages before you buy new cables though, I had a stiff throttle cable on my Merc 90 and turned out to be the linkage around the bottom two Carbs.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Do check the linkages before you buy new cables though, I had a stiff throttle cable on my Merc 90 and turned out to be the linkage around the bottom two Carbs.

Similarly if you disconnect the cables and they move freely do not assume they are OK as when under load they can stiffen up.

Chris

[BogMonster]

One way I believe you can do it (depending on cable type and whether you can easily detach it) is to get a small plastic bag (food bag or similar) make a hole in the bottom of the bag, pass the end of the cable through the hole and then tightly tie the bag around the cable with elastic bands, string or whatever to make it oil-tight, you can then fill up the bag with oil until the open end of the cable outer is submerged, support it in an upright position and the oil "should" slowly trickle down the inside of the cable. Can't say I have tried it myself but it was suggested to me a few years ago and I can't see any reason why it should not work.