[RedMenace]

Hey Guys, might need a little help. Had the boat out this weekend and when I put the engine in gear she makes a heck of a racket. Sounds like gears slipping for a couple of seconds, but once it catches everything runs fine. Engine is a 1988 150 Johnson. Any ideas on what it could be and the severity? Thanks in advance.

 

[tcfisherman]

red, sometimes my 92 150 johnson makes a racket when i first put it in gear, but i've found we it does that its not all the way in gear, who knows yours could be different, pm sundrop or he may chime in, he seems to be good at this sort of thing being the gearhead he is.....................................chris

 

[RedMenace]

Thanks Chris. Throttle is kinda stiff so I was thinking/hoping that might be it. Never done it before but who knows.

 

[sundrop]

Might need to have the shift cable re-adjusted or replaced.. Sounds like it isnt setting firmly in gear at first... If you have a manual it is a simple thing to adjust the cable. If it is the shift rod itself that is a bit more involved... For now just make sure you have RPM as low as you can before you drop it in gear and do do any sudden forward-reverse shifts of it can chip the gears..

 

[RedMenace]

Thanks Sundrop. I was hoping our resident "gearhead" would put me on the right path. RPMs were low, engine was idling as we drifted for trout. At the end of the drift when I'd put her in gear is when it would happen. I was kinda easing it into gear b/c I was afraid if I really pushed it hard it might do some kinda damage. Might be doing more by not?

 

[sundrop]

The gears are cut to allow for a certain amount of slippage before they engage as it helps to synchronize them before they mesh. But alot, or a long period of grind is bad... When in doubt, have it checked out!

 

[Dave1273]

Sounds like the cable(s) need to be lubricated to me. By the throttle being stiff, it is possible the shifter cable is binding too. This happened to my OMC I/O after it had been sitting for a few years.

 

[Dave B.]

If you do all that, probably a good time to change out the gear oil too if it hasnt been done.