250 EFI won't go into gear after impeller change

[trivialpursuits]

I dropped both lower units today, replaced impellers and put new props on both. Basically same procedure followed for both, so I thought. Port motor (1B043974) will not go into gear now, while starboard works fine. There's no resistance on the shifter for the port motor. I removed the cowling and can see the cable actuating the shift mechanism on the side of the powerhead, but nothing is happening down below. Regardless of shifter position the prop spins by hand with no resistance in either direction. I am assuming the upper shift shaft did not engage the coupler to the lower shift shaft when I reinstalled, and I just got lucky on the starboard side?

Just looking for some guidance on rectifying this. Port motor is a counter-rotating unit. Thanks!

[22R]

Yep I think you missed the splines when you installed it. Just drop it back down and bit and align and back in and you should be good.

22R

[trivialpursuits]

Yep I think you missed the splines when you installed it. Just drop it back down and bit and align and back in and you should be good.

22R

Thanks. Is it possible to align without removing the lower completely (just loosening nuts and lowering down on the studs)? Or will I need to remove nuts and drop down a few inches to access the shaft?

[22R]

i would remove the nuts and put a floor jack under the skeg and only drop enough to free the shift rod. On my 2.5 Merc XR6 I can manipulate the shift rod coming down from the P/H with my fingers then slowly raise the lower up into place. A helper helps alot but can be done solo if needed.

22R

[Capt.Insane-o]

Don't lose the shaft coupler.

[flabum1017]

Don't lose the shaft coupler.

His next question: "What shaft coupler?"

[DangerNewb]

His next question: "What shaft coupler?"

I learned that one the hard way.

[trivialpursuits]

Nah, the coupler was there. But upper shift shaft not inserted into it. However, I dropped the coupler in the water when I removed the lower unit again today, so waiting on a replacement from ebay

[flabum1017]

Nah, the coupler was there. But upper shift shaft not inserted into it. However, I dropped the coupler in the water when I removed the lower unit again today, so waiting on a replacement from ebay

Jump in after it! unless you're afraid of manatees

[trivialpursuits]

Followup for closure of thread: The upper shift shaft was in fact NOT engaged with the coupler to the lower shift shaft. Problem has been solved and it's shifting fine now.