mercruiser 140

[pogden]

I just picked up a Searay Seville with a mercruiser 140 and I'm having a problem with shift/cutting out. It starts/idles/rev's in neutral great--but as soon as I shift into reverse it stalls and when I shift into forward it either stalls or stutters and won't accelerate much above a fast idle. This occurs 95% of the time, that other 5% it works great. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,
Pat

[caper]

Either the shift cable is gummed up or the microswitch that interrupts the spark is not properly adjusted.

[Fr. Frank]

Caper's right.

[pogden]

Thanks guys
I will try to adjust the shift cable/spark interupter.
The local shop told me I needed a new carb and shift cable installed--almost $800.00. I just couldn't see it being that bad if it ran so well in neutral and occasionally would work right. I think I will disconnect the spark interupter first, if it runs okay then, I guess that would probably mean the shift cable needs adjusting.??

[Fr. Frank]

That will work, but be aware that in will greatly increase gear wear, as you WILL grind the gears every time you shift, AND, if the problem is in fact the shift cable, you run a very real chance of inadvertantly bypassing neutral and shifting directly from Fwd to Rev or vice versa, which has a nasty tendency to blow up your lower unit and/or crack your U-joint.
My sincere advice is to pay the money and replace the cables (plural). You can undoubtedly find a lower price. I asked my mechanic, and he said it should take 5-6 hours plus parts to replace both cables and interupter switch. This assumes that every thing else is in good shape.
Check around for prices on getting this work done.
PS, it's simple enough to do yourself if you have a Clymer Mercruiser manual.