2002 Merc. 150 occasional hard shifting

[gw204]

Hopefully, you guys can confirm whether or not this is anything to worry about.

I have a carbed 2002 Merc. 150 25" installed on my 20' fishing boat. The engine is new this year and currently has just over 60 hrs. Since day one, it has been 99% trouble free. For a carbed 2-stroke, she's quiet, starts easily and is very fuel efficient.

The only issue I have is that occasionally, the engine does not shift into reverse smoothly. The process of shifting (putting it in gear) is easy but the engine sometimes bucks and kicks up a bit as the gears catch. 9 out of 10 shifts are perfectly smooth as they should be and I never have any problems shifting into forward. I changed the LU oil at 40 hrs and it looked like new.

Has anyone else experience a similar problem and if so, was there a resolution?

Thanks.

Brian

http://userpages.umbc.edu/~bmille4/sirreel/index.html

[This message was edited by gw204 on 07-14-03 at 02:56 PM.]

[This message was edited by gw204 on 07-14-03 at 03:02 PM.]

[Harpoon]

Mercs shif a little hard sometimes.

I had a Carburated 94 200HP that was similar. It was a great motor.

But be sure your idle rpms are not too high.

HP

[gw204]

Thanks Harpoon.

Idle RPM (not in gear) sits just about 700.

http://userpages.umbc.edu/~bmille4/sirreel/index.html

[Shag]

I hope you mean she's "quiet" not "quit". That would produce some I told you so's from the "other crowd". Does she have a stainless prop? Mine shifts hard and I was told that this is normal, especially with a SS prop. One thing to keep in mind, at risk of insulting your intelligence, put it into gear with deliberation. Don't slowly shift to where you hear the gears rat tat tatting as you shift.

[gw204]

quote:Originally posted by Shag:
I hope you mean she's "quiet" not "quit".

What are you talking about? I never said quit, nor did I edit my message.

The prop is an aluminum 15 x 17. I was running a stainless 14 x 19 but the motor, as well as my wallet, seems to like the lighter weight aluminum.

Shifting is done w/ authority.

Thanks.

Brian

http://userpages.umbc.edu/~bmille4/sirreel/index.html

[Team Binnion]

I have two of the exact motor's you have, and they booth shift just like your's. I was told by several mechanics, they are supposed to shift like that.

Team Binnion
Fish Hard or Go Home/24 Cape Horn