Evinrude 150 gear change question

[Into The Blue]

Just got the boat back from its spring service, Fitch Ram 150hp, 400 hrs Tech reckons the gear selection is not 100%.
Options are to;
1. Replace gear cable
2. Replace Control Box
3. Split the gearbox and check out the selectors etc

Anyone had anything similar I can learn from, other than replace the engine which I simply can't afford to do.

My preference it to start with the cables so any recommendations? Who does the best cable and where to get it?

Cheers

[Pikey Dave]

Wasn't the "tech" more specific, if not why not? It could be simply be an adjustment issue. The cables stretch & wear over time & need taking up. If your tech was worth his salt he ought to have been a bit more helpful. If you go down the new cable route, Teleflex extreme are vgood

[peterwhite]

Definitely agree with pikey Dave on this one. I work on outboards for a living and adjustment check is a must. Should be checked at service. If not that then I would start with dropping the gearbox and checking all linkages and selector as no parts needed. Cables can also be checked without replacing anything also. Do all the checks before replacing anything.

[peterwhite]

Wasn't the gearbox apart at the service to do the impeller???

[Dhf]

I've got the 150 myself and I know my cables are stretched a bit and need replacing, but the gears still engage properly, was your gear select returning to neutral properly after being in forward or reverse, if it wasn't returning to neutral properly thats a good sign of a stretched cable. best of luck with it mines got over 950hr and still going strong. bit like a car having done about 40,000 miles I reckon, plently of life left in the old girl with annual servicing.
As for the impellor I was told as long as the telltail is pumping strong then all is good left as, maybe quick inspection wouldn't hurt though.

[Into The Blue]

Thanks for the replies.
The Tech has been a great help and I'm following up on his comments and I don't want to blow them out of proportion. To date he has fixed everything quickly and reliably. Impeller was replaced and the tell tale is strong.

However he noted, as I did last season, that engagement of reverse gear wasn't perfect. Not wanting to waste my money he advised that it would work fine for another season but I might want to consider my options this year for when it next goes in. His view was that it was most likely to be the selector or dog clutch? But that cables or control box might be worn.

Return to neutral is fine, it's really only when going into reverse, and even then mostly when I'm not firm enough with it. I hate that graunching noise when I mess it up by being too gentle.

I'll call him to confirm that he did an adjustment on the linkage at the service, if it was done I guess the likelihood is therefore that it is gearbox not cables?
Anyone know how to rebuild one of these?

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Into The Blue

However he noted, as I did last season, that engagement of reverse gear wasn't perfect.

Return to neutral is fine, it's really only when going into reverse, and even then mostly when I'm not firm enough with it. I hate that graunching noise when I mess it up by being too gentle.

No synchromesh on an outboard gearbox. A little clunking/grinding is pretty normal.

jky

[yam man]

Worst case scenario worn dog clutch, on a service I always check gear selection and if its just adjustment I naturally do it as I would if idle speed wasn't correct. Fwd gear is always easiest to engage than reverse as your pushing against the cables and linkages change the cable and see how you get on.