"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 11:53:44 -0500, "Kilgore Trout"
wrote:

This topic may have been done to death already, apologies for this repeat.


I've got a Mercruiser 130hp carburated 4.0L 4-cyl inboard with the
Quicksilver shift cable system. When switching between forward and
reverse
the shifter is supposed to be stopped in idle for a brief moment before
changing intp gear. Every so often when I do this the engine cuts right
out
as the shifter goes into idle. This happens when docking or embarking,
often after a 10m lake haul, causing a mad scramble to restart the engine
and avoid collision with docks, shorelines and other boats. Except the
only way to prevent further stalls is to ram the shifter through the idle
without stopping, and not good for the drive. I know that the shift
system
intentionally cuts the ignition spark for a millisecond to protect the
cables and drive gears from damage by a cutout switch on the switch plate,
and that there's a lower cable to the sterndrive and another between the
shift box and shift plate.

I don't know if I should pull the tools and try to fine tune the settings
and risk overlooking a critical tweak, discovery this fact floating toward
a
parked Glastron at 10 knots, or take it to the marina?

I've gotten nowhere with this marina on this matter though, and I know
that
the mechanic knows what the problem is. They just want me to come
crawling
on hands on knees with a wad of dough.


KT


When I was having a similar problem, one of the old time mechanics at the
marina said "not" to hesitate when shifting from forward to reverse, when
the rpm is at a reasonably slow amount.

Now I don't pause. It's one motion from forward to reverse, and I've had
no
more problems.

Is your's a Mercruiser? Mine's a 1989. Bought it used, in good shape.
The seller said that I should always briefly idle the stick before changing
into forward or reverse because of the systems design. I know that
cumulative engine vibration tends to gradually knock the idle screw and fuel
mixture out of sync causing a rough engine that has to be fine tuned from
time to time. Pop the hood, adjust, done. I think these same vibrations
have affected a setting in the 3-part throttle linkage and all that's
required is a simple readjustment. The throttle lever has a fairly sluggish
resistance. It's not easy to finesse it through idle into forward or
reverse without causing a lurch in one direction even at zero knot.

KT