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OMC Cobra shift problems

Well I took the boat out on Lake Mead today and had a little trouble docking due to a new problem:

When shifting from N to FWD there's usually about a two second delay during which a distinct ratcheting sound is heard, followed by a heavy clunk as the gear engages. The rest of the time FWD will not engage at all, and a faster buzz of a ratcheting noise can be heard coming from the outdrive. Reverse works intermittantly as well but is more reliable.

This problem just started this morning and along with the huge amount of traffic at Callville Bay tonight I spent about two hours getting this boat docked and back on it's trailer.

Anyone else deal with this type of problem on these outdrives?

Greg '87 Bayliner capri 2.3 I/O OMC Cobra

muzzyzx7rr
Aug 6
2006
Thanks for the info. I'll call around tomorrow and see if anyone has time to look at it anytime soon. Last month I had a problem I needed looked at and the earliest any mechanics could get to it was six weeks!

You dont suppose it could just be in need of a simple adjustment do you? I'm wondering because the problem sort of happened gradually through the day and I noticed there's much more play in the linkage while sitting in neutral. It takes alot more effort to shift as well.

Greg '87 Bayliner capri 2.3 I/O OMC Cobra

muzzyzx7rr
Aug 6
Hey, it's probably the poor guy's first year owning a boat. What do you expect?

Eisboch

Eisboch
Aug 6
@n13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: akheel
Aug 7
It's a fairly common complaint with Cobras. It's probably a worn out or defective shift cable and the ratcheting sound is your gear set being worn away by insufficient meshing of the shift dog. Prompt repair of the cable might save the gears. This is not a do it yourself repair. Jim <muzzyzx7rr@hotmail.com> wrote in message Jim
Aug 6
I had a similar problem with my shifting (not an OMC). The shift linkage needed adjustment. I let the mechanic at the marina do his thing. Then it worked fine. --

***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****

John

JohnH
Aug 6
I HAVE A 6CYLINDER MERCRUISER WITH A ALPHA I/O. MY BOAT JUST STARTED DOING THE SAME THING THIS WEEK. IT LOOKS LIKE IT THE CABLES NEED ADJUSTING. NUETRAL IS NOT IN THE CENTER ANYMORE OF THE CONTROLLER !! ALSO MY IDLE IS A LITTLE TO HIGH. I GREASED EVERYTHING UP YESTERDAY. IT GOT BETTER BUT I CAN SEE THAT THE SHIFTER IS OFF A LITTLE BIT. NUETRAL IS NOT IN THE CENTER ANYMORE. JohnH wrote: > On 6 Aug 2006 01:35:28 -0700, muzzyzx7rr@hotmail.com wrote: sonofadocker
Aug 6
Mine is also a Mercruiser Alpha I. Get the linkage adjusted.

PS. Posting in caps is not considered good etiquette, unless you are meaning to shout out each word. --

***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****

John

JohnH
Aug 6
   

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