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View Full Version : Just picked up my boat...Have a few Questions

MattT1685
June 5th, 2003, 10:08 AM
I just picked up my boat yesterday and put it in the water. It started right up and it only has 27.4 hours on it. So I go to back out and it goes into reverse fine but then i go to put it into forward, it makes a clicking/grinding noise like it wants to go into forward but doesn't. So I have to try like 3 or 4 times before it goes in. My dad suggested that maybe the linkage cable needs some adjusting. What do you guys think it could be and if it is the linkage cable, is that an easy thing to fix and how do i go about adjusting it. Thanks for all your help.

Matt
Baja340SF
June 5th, 2003, 12:17 PM
Did you buy it from a dealer or Private party. If its a dealer.......let them do it. If not.........well its up to you.\

What shifters do you have? That could help out alot in explaining how to adjust it.

I believe you dad is correct! It sounds like its only an adjustment.
GottaHaveIt
June 5th, 2003, 02:56 PM
This is the shifter adjustment procedure for the Alpha drive

>Click here- adjustment link< (http://www.bravodrives.com/merc/mdtips02.html)

Read thru it and give it a try. I have never adjusted the shifter of a Bravo or Alpha so I cannot say how close this is to correct for a Bravo. It can't be too hard to do, which means taking it in to a repair facility to get it done right should not result in a large bill. That way if there is anything else wrong they can catch it.

What year/model/engine/drive is your boat?
MattT1685
June 5th, 2003, 06:06 PM
Its a 1998 sidewinder with a 5.7 Mercursier and I believe it has a Alpha one drive. Here are some pics of the engine and outdrive:
http://members.cox.net/mattt1685/DSC00116.JPG
http://members.cox.net/mattt1685/DSC00120.JPG
http://members.cox.net/mattt1685/DSC00125.JPG
BDannecker
June 5th, 2003, 06:10 PM
Man I see the problem, the wheel and throttle's on the wrong side... :rollin
ckmansell
June 5th, 2003, 08:38 PM
If adjustment doesn't fix it. Have your gimbal bearing checked. They sound like this when they are going bad. I would not think it would, with only 27 hrs but if someone did not have their engine alignment checked every season like they are supposed to, I guess it could. That brings me to another point. I would have a merc mechanic put his computer on you boat to check and see if the hours are correct. May be just me and maybe some other members might chime in here, but from looking at the pics (visual only) I would have guessed it had a lot more. Good luck, Curt
GottaHaveIt
June 5th, 2003, 08:40 PM
Nothing wrong with left had drive! Looks like a pretty cool boat!

The drive does appear to be an Alpha so the shifter adjusting info should be correct. Give it a try.

Chris
MattT1685
June 6th, 2003, 11:49 AM
How does one going about having the engine alignment checked. I've never heard of that before. Also we bought the boat from one of my dad's good friend's partner so I don't think he lied to us about the hours. I'm going to try adjusting the cable. I'll let you know how it turns out.
DCH1
June 6th, 2003, 12:04 PM
You align the engines by removing the outdrive and with a special Merc tool. You'll find a lot on this topic on this site, as a few folks have had problems that may be related to engine alignment.

DCH
MattT1685
June 6th, 2003, 06:15 PM
Just had someone adjust the cable and all is well. Boat is running very smoothly. Thanks for all your help.

Matt