"lochawe" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I am a begginer with engines so bear with me, I have a (second
hand)Merc 200 (20 horse) Kiekhaefer (freshwater used only). I ran it
last year for 4 days with no problem, first trip this year it ran for
first day no problem, second day it didn't want to start, but would
eventually fire up and run in reverse only...any ideas. What we
done:- we made up 1 two stroke mix up with "stihl saw" and 1 with
castrol two stroke...we have done this before with no probs as the
"stihl saw" oil is W something reccomended we were told...still dont
understand how it will only run in reverse...we did have it going in
forward for aroung a half hour after we first got this problem but
then no go.

Fuel mixtures/ratios aside, your problem would seem to be between the gear
box and the shifting mechanism in the motor head. Could be as simple as a
loose bolt. Your shifter cable may have become uncrimped. Something might
have worked its way onto the track, blocking the slider which engages the
proper gear. Lastly, it could be as simple as adjusting the slider, so it
engages most easily, instead of just barely, which may have been the case
before it quit working.

If whatever is wrong turns out to be more serious than these possibilities,
you have my sympathy.

Unc