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Today was our first time out in the boat. "Our" meaning my wife and two sons. We got to the boat ramp around noon and put the boat in the water and guess what, dead battery. 1:00 at the boat ramp with a new battery it started right up.

We just wanted to take it out on a little cruise and maybe do a little fishing. We cruised around and found a fishing spot. We caught a little bass maybe three pounds, then around 4:00 we decided to bring it home and the boat wouldn't go into reverse. It made a horrible grinding noise. I have been told it needs an adjustment in the throttle linkage.

This is like working on a spaceship to me. Are there any novice mechanics that know how to work on these outboards that can help me out or should I just take it to a boat guy. It seems like it is in the linkage from the throttle to the motor. The boat ran like a scalded dog until it got a little warm then it didn't want to go into reverse. The boat is a 1984 Montauk 17 with a 1993 115 HP Yamaha. When I got home I flushed the motor and it worked fine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Gentry,

I would be willing to bet that it is not in the linkage. Those older Yamahas are know for their shift shafts inside the lower to corrode and break. When this happens you will lose all shifting ability. Sounds like you motor is on its way. I would take it in and have the shift shaft replaced. When they do that they will adjust the linkage once it is all back together.

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jeff thanks for the reply. i kinda figured it was more than the linkage.

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gentryg,

Whatever the problem turns out to be, also check your throttle and shift cables.
If they are original to the boat, then I would also replace the cables at the same time this other problem is being taken care of.
This way you know you have new cables and should last you many years.

You wouldn't want to fix the problem you have now only to find out in a few months that your throttle and shift cables went bad too and you now have to take the boat in again... More down time... Have those cables checked too...

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Gentry,

I would have to agree with Joe on cables also. May as well take care of them as well.

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I talked to the boat guy today and he acted like this is a weird thing to happen. He said if the shift shaft went out it would go forward or reverse. He also thought the 1990 on motors had a ss shift shafts. He can't touch it until next week but he said to check the lower unit oil. When I checked it the bottom plug had metal shavings on it and the oil was gray green but didn't have water in it. This looks bad.

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I talked to the boat mechanic this week and he said it was the shift shaft. He told me this is a very time consuming fix and in turn costly. He said the minimum would be $800, the maximum would be $1,500. Does this sound right?

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Yes, unfortunately, replacing the shift shaft is a difficult job that requires removing the powerhead. That alone can be problematic as often the mounting bolts will be seized and will shear off during their removal. If you are not comfortable in making a project of this yourself and feel the need to use the mechanic, the expense may well exceed the value of the motor.

Tough call, but maybe you should consider repowering. What boat is this motor on?

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The boat is a 1984 montauk 17. I have realy been thinking about a new motor but they are way to proud of them. I also thought about an early 2000 90 yamaha. I also found a mid 80s' 90 yamaha for $1800. I just dont' want another problem. I will start shoping around and see what happens. I might try to do this myself. Do you know if there are any special tools involved. If there is I need to figure that into the cost. The mechanic said the shift rod is around $150.

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The metal shavings in your lower end should be a giant red flag that something's "Rotten In Denmark..."
If you're set on that motor, I'd replace the entire lower unit with "good used"....
It'd probably be cheaper than rebuilding the one you've got...which is grinding itself into little pieces....
Get a new battery...don't take the wife and kids out until you're sure you can make it back....get a kicker...
...Just my opinion.....

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When the boat mechanic looked at it he said that small metal shavings was bad but diddnt' know if the lower unit was bad. I am seeking another opinon on the motor and lower unit. The motor is only worth about $1500 in good condition. I would like to go with a yamaha 90 that weighs around 260 lbs with a 10hp kicker. I just got the boat and diddnt' want to put that kind of money in it so soon but it looks like I might have to.

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it's repower season. Call around to dealers in your area and see if you can find a good used 115 that they pulled off someones boat so they could repower with the latest technology. It's worth checking before you drop more cash into that engine.

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That is what I will be doing this week. I am going to the yamaha dealer and talking to another mechanic and see what options I have. I would like to go with a 90 because the boat is rated for a 100. I found some around here for around $2000 but they are older than the 115 I have now. Decisions... decisions...

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i repowered my 1985 montauk with a rebuilt 1990 88 hp, i love this engine and it is all around as good as the 1985 90 hp johnson. i love omc now bombarder

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So, I decided to get the motor fixed. I got it back 5 days ago and took it out 4 times. I am happy with my decision to fix the motor. I totaled out at $1600 to fix which is alot cheaper than a new one and alot of used ones I looked at. The motor runs great now. I can't see putting a 90 on this boat. The 115 brings in on plane super fast and just turns this boat into a hot rod. Thanks for everyones replys.

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Gentry,

So what did you have done to the motor?

Also, each motor is different and trust me I venture to bet if you had an 90hp inline 6 merc on your hull it would out run the Yamaha 115. We were lucky enough to have one of those "TOWERS OF POWER" on our 84 Montauk. It would plane out instantly with 4 people on board with 24 gallons of fuel. :D

Glad to hear the boat is up and running go for you again!

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The shift rod and other parts that broke when he tried to take the old one out were the parts replaced.

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I have a pair of the Tower of Powers on my OR and they have 115 stickers on them but they are identicle to the 150 motors. People that know the Inline 6 Mercs say my 115s are really 150s. Strong 150s. They say the 90s are really 125hp.