Lower unit – shifting issue

[stevek]

The motor is a 2.5 245 carb motor with a CLE lower unit.

So I was out this morning making some passes around 70 to low 80’s and when I tried to shift into neutral the shifter (In-Control) felt stiff and wouldn’t shift. I could get it into reverse with a loud clunk.

Drove back to the ramp and found the lower unit in one piece. The shaft seems to have a bit more play in and out now. On the trailer it shifts from forward, neurtal to reverse. The other problem was that during the trip back the boat would not idle lower than 2k RPM.

I plan to look at it closer tomorrow and put it on the hose at the house. It appears that the lower may have some internal issues, but there are no outward signs other than the shaft end play.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

Thanks,
Steve

[BigRedAlli]

I think if you fix your high idle problem, your shifting problem will go away...

[Raceman]

What he said, PLUS, if you DON'T fix your idle problem and keep shifting it you WILL have gearcase problems.

[THE FAST ONE]

I think if you fix your high idle problem, your shifting problem will go away... MOST EVERYONE RUNS INTO THAT, AT SOME POINT IN TIME,HAS HAPPENED TO ME ALSO,BEFORE CORRECTING IDLE,I WOULD SLOW DOWN SWITCH OFF IGNITION,THEN SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, THEN SAME SENARIO,AGAIN & AGAIN,DURING BASS TOURNAMENT,FINALLY LOADED END OF TOURNAMENT,CORRECT IDLE.---ED

[stevek]

The idle problem started at the same time the shifting problem occured. All was well until the last run and I tried to shift into netrual. and it wouldnt. Almost felt like the cable had jammed. Then on the way to dock I notice how high the idle was.

I plan to run it on the hose tomorrow. I am concerned about the shaft end play. I dont know why the idle would be high unless something slipped on the motor linkage. I will check that too.

Thanks

[THE FAST ONE]

The idle problem started at the same time the shifting problem occured. All was well until the last run and I tried to shift into netrual. and it wouldnt. Almost felt like the cable had jammed. Then on the way to dock I notice how high the idle was.

I plan to run it on the hose tomorrow. I am concerned about the shaft end play. I dont know why the idle would be high unless something slipped on the motor linkage. I will check that too.

Thanks THAT'S NOT SAYING POSSIBLE LOWER PROBLEM,BUT IT'S THE BEST PLACE TO START-GOOD LUCK--ED

[antslake]

I am no expert, but if your lower unit has a dog clutch, or even if it doesn't and your motor is idling 2000rpm, that puts the device that engages foward under load, making it harder to pull into neutral.

On the older units you would break the ears off the dog clutch, or even worse round off the teeth on the foward or reverse gear, and then have to put new ones in.

[THE FAST ONE]

I am no expert, but if your lower unit has a dog clutch, or even if it doesn't and your motor is idling 2000rpm, that puts the device that engages foward under load, making it harder to pull into neutral.

On the older units you would break the ears off the dog clutch, or even worse round off the teeth on the foward or reverse gear, and then have to put new ones in. IT DON'T WITH MOTA SWITCHED OFF.--ED