Mercury 9.8 Won't Shift out of FWD gear after Water pump install

[damoses1]

I just finished replacing my shredded impeller, and now my engine won't shift out of fwd gear.

I noticed that when I initially dropped the lower unit to change out the impeller, that it was in neutral. Now the engine won't shift out of FWD. I've dropped the lower unit several times now, and even with the lower unit disconnected, the engine still won't shift out of FWD.

Suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[Tim R.]

You must not have assembled the lower unit properly. The shifting rod runs down through the lower unit. It will not shift with the lower unit removed.

 

[damoses1]

Thanks for the quick reply, Tim!

The only portion I touched was the water impeller and its housing. Does that have anything to do with shifting gears?

I did notice that with the lower unit detached, the propeller is still locked in fwd gear.

 

[Joe]

I think you'll need to re assemble the lower unit... Here's a link to an article on water pump maintenance for Merc 9.8 followed by an excerpt that has relevance to your problem: The reverse lock mechanism or the water tube placement.

http://www.myoutboardengine.com/wp_1.html

The tricky part is assembly of the lower unit back onto the motor. Make sure you place gear shifter is in forward gear (different motors may be require another gear). In order for the reverse lock to function, the gear has to be in forward and the plastic reverse lock on lower unit must be placed so that it is just about ot hit the highest part of the lock. When you place into neutral, it will rise onto the plane and be at the highest part. This will of course not allow you to raise the engine while in neutral, but I found that the reverse lock would not function unless I installed while in forward gear.
Also, make sure the water tube is in its proper place. You can guide it with a screw driver slowly before you completley push the lower assembly up. If you look at the water impeller housing in first few photos, you can see raised area where water tube goes into.
Test the gears. Place in neutral, prop should spin freely; forward gear should only spin in one direction and prop should slice through; reverse, prop should also only go in one direction and opposite of slicing motion.
If they don't work as they should remove again and check your assembly. You may need another set of hands or a screwdriver to push the gear shift or the water tube where it needs to be.

 

[RichBone]

Is the outboard in the tilted position?

 

[Mac Daddy]

Some mercs need the lower unit shifted into a certain gear before reinstalling. Might check that.

 

[Tim R.]

Thanks for the quick reply, Tim!

The only portion I touched was the water impeller and its housing. Does that have anything to do with shifting gears?

I did notice that with the lower unit detached, the propeller is still locked in fwd gear.

Damoses, there should have been 2 long shafts that go down into the lower unit. The one is the drive shaft and this is where you installed the impeller. The other is the shift linkage. Check your manual as you may need to have it in a certain gear. Also make sure that your shift handle on the motor matches the gear that the lower unit is in.