Catalina 30 w/A-4 seems to slip out of gear

[Mark Jones]

While in forward and approx. 75% throttle engaged, the engine will occasionally begin to accelerate as if the load was removed from it. I reduce throttle to idle, pull shift to neutral and then re engage it in forward and slowly add throttle. Sometimes it repeats and sometimes not. I have adjusted the clutch mechanism and it appeared to be a positive engagement of the calipers over the shaft sholder. Any ideas?

 

[Brian Ranniger]

Mine too

Mine had the same problem. It might help if you do the adjustment in the proper order, reverse then forward or the other way. I forget which. I had to adjust the forward so tight that it is almost hard to get it out of forward. It's probably because the (bronze?) clutches are worn down after years of service. They are supposed to last the life of the engine, but I doubt they will.

 

[Kevin l. Woody]

I think cable adjustment to throw.

Dear Mark,Thanks for the note. The engagement and disengagement of the transmission, at various times, sounds like it could be load based.? The first thing I would check is to see if the engagement of the cable throw is sufficient enough to keep the transmission engaged when the loads increase. My thought is that the transmission engagement cable needs additional throw by simply increasing its throw. This has happened to me with my Yanmar in my own boat. ( and my car ) Of coarse your scenario may only look the same as mine or someone else, but I would not be surprised that it’s simply a needed adjustment. I always take the stand that if any failure is not duplicated easily does not always represent a parts complete failure. Good luck and hope this helps. Sincerely,Kevin

 

[Bob Uehlein]

Oil

I had the same problem with the 1981 C-30 with A/4 that I sold last year. Going back to a straight 30 weight oil that did not have friction improvers ( or oils with higher gas mileage claims) solved the problem.