Help with Honda Problem Please!

kloudie1 · Oct 18, 2010

Probably the shift rod that connects the lever to the gearbox. It has to be disconnected to change the water pump impeller.. Probably came apart or broke there. If you aren't comfortable removing the lower unit, the shop can do it pretty quickly. Change the impeller while you are in there. Could be a couple of other problems too, but that is the most likely.. Good Luck with it.

richk · Oct 18, 2010

shear pin?

Indy23.5 said:
Yesterday while bringing my Hunter 23.5 into the dock, the Honda outboard stopped shifting into gear. It is still running fine but refuses to go into reverse or forward.
The lever moves but nothing happens-I didn't hit anything. Any idea about how to repair?
Thanks so much-until I get this fixed, I'm dock bound.

Check the shear pin on the prop.

garyc · Oct 18, 2010

Make sure the shift rod is still conected to the shift lever. buy a manual.

kloudie1 · Oct 18, 2010

Good one, Rich ! I am embarrassed that I didn’t think of that one.. The most likely !

kloudie1 · Oct 18, 2010

If it is a shear pin; To the question of how to repair, remove the cotter pin in the propeller nut (the little cone that holds the propeller on). Unscrew the propeller nut and pull off the propeller. There should be a metal pin through the shaft close to the gearbox. If this pin is sheared, or broken, at the shaft, remove the pieces and get a new shear pin. The shear pin drives the propeller and when it breaks, the shaft can turn but the propeller will not.. There may be a spare shear pin on the engine somewhere (owner’s manual) If not, you can get a new one from an outboard engine dealer. Take the old pieces with you along with the engine model number. This should be explained in the owner’s manual under “Shear Pin Replacement” .. Good Luck with it !!

kloudie1 · Oct 18, 2010

Hope we aren't confusing the issue, Indy.. But now it sounds like my first post.. The rod that changes gears has come loose or broken somewhere between the handle and the lower unit. Requires removing the lower unit from the engine leg at the waterpump to access the rod. When that is open, you can see if the upper rod is loose from the handle, or the lower rod is disconnected from the upper.. A quick job at a good shop.. I don't know what engine model or year you have but in this typical parts shot, http://www.boats.net/parts/search/H...R PUMP + VERTICAL SHAFT (L,S SIZE)/parts.html
Items 12, 13, 30 are the key players. They are in the leg of engine and the coupler, 12, connects the shift rods and item 30 is a lock nut that keeps them from coming apart.. Your engine may have some linkage under the cowling that is easily seen also.. Look at the levers and rods as you move the shift to make sure that it is all connected before it disappears down the leg..

isaksp00 · Oct 19, 2010

If it is a Honda 8HP (BF8A) like mine, it is easy to see the link between the shift lever and the top of the linkage rod, from the top of the engine - you can see the top end of the rod moving up and down as you shift.

If you pull the lower unit, don't force it - if it turns out that the linkage rod is actually connected at all points, it has to be disconnected to pull the lower unit off (at least, if I understand my shop manual correctly).

Shane82 · Oct 19, 2010

Thats pics I took when changing the impeller on my BF8D Honda 03 model. This is above the lower unit at the bottom on the shaft the motor turns left and right on. This takes 2 10mm wrenches. there is a small nut and a long sleeve nut. thread the sleeve onto the lower rod, then snug the nut to it. Check if it shifts properly as if you over or under thread the rod it may not synch. No need to remove any other parts if this is the problem.