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2001 BF15 reverse shifting problem

S

Sturge-ON

New member
Hey there, so I bought a used Honda BF15 4-stroke 2001 outboard about a year ago. I've taken it out about at least a dozen times since then.

So far I have-

-Changed the motor and gear oil
-Installed new fuel filter
-Replaced old water lines & thermo gasket & o-ring
-Checked the water impeller
-Cleaned the carb
-Adjusted the valves & idle speed (1100rpm)
-Checked cylinder compression (~140psi both)

I first noticed the problem after I hit a submerged tree going 5-6mph(going forward). Everything was fine until I had gone about 5 miles on my way back to the boat launch (full throttle ~20mph).
The prop spun all of a sudden and the engine would rev but no thrust above idling while in gear. I shut her down and used my trolling motor to make it back to the launch.

At home I put the spare prop on and tested the motor to make sure the splines engaged with the new prop. They did, but I noticed under the hood of the motor, the shift link roller on the spring arm was not fully falling into the reverse groove. The shift link fully fell into place at neutral and forward.

At first i thought the vertical shift link nut came loose, but no adjustment worked.
To trouble shoot I removed the vertical linkage nut and the entire bottom half of the motor.

After disconnecting the top linkage from the clutch box, the shift linkage and roller would still not fall into place in reverse gear slot.

Any ideas on what could be keeping the shifter from fully falling into the reverse groove?
in Neutral.jpg the top picture shows the roller fully in the middle groove (neutral)
As far as goes reverse.jpg The bottom picture shows as far forward into the front groove (Reverse) it will go.
 
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Most likely, linkage #15 is bent and not allowing enough throw when you operation shift lever
#16 http://www.boats.net/parts/search/H...01/BF15A1 LA/OIL CASE ENGINE COVER/parts.html

It could also be that parts #14 or #18 are cracked and do not rotate all the way. The metal rod has a couple of natural bends in it, so it could not only easily bend, but also be difficult to try to straighten out to the proper length.

This is not unusual and is typically caused by someone trying to shift the motor into reverse, when the motor is not running. If the prop is not manually turned when trying to shift, the gear and clutch dog do not mesh properly. If the person continues to try to force it into gear, the plastic parts mentioned or the wire linkage will give before the steel in the gears.

I am not sure hitting something could have the same result. .....maybe it could...

Mike
 
hondadude said:
Most likely, linkage #15 is bent and not allowing enough throw when you operation shift lever
#16 http://www.boats.net/parts/search/H...01/BF15A1 LA/OIL CASE ENGINE COVER/parts.html

It could also be that parts #14 or #18 are cracked and do not rotate all the way. The metal rod has a couple of natural bends in it, so it could not only easily bend, but also be difficult to try to straighten out to the proper length.

This is not unusual and is typically caused by someone trying to shift the motor into reverse, when the motor is not running. If the prop is not manually turned when trying to shift, the gear and clutch dog do not mesh properly. If the person continues to try to force it into gear, the plastic parts mentioned or the wire linkage will give before the steel in the gears.

I am not sure hitting something could have the same result. .....maybe it could...

Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks! I was just looking at the part #15 before you replied. I disconnected the clip pin that holds it to part#18 and loosened the two mounting bolts that hold the carrying handle to the motor frame.
This allowed a lot of wiggle room for the rod link to move around. after doing that it fully seated into the reverse groove.
It seems the problem is that part 15 is bent.

I am trying to figure out how to take the rod out though. It looks like the grip shifter handle assembly is attached to the carrying handle piece with a 4mm spring pin.
Any tips on how to disassemble the shifter handle so that i can access the shift rod (part#15)?

whats a good way to remove small spring pins? part #64
 
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GOT IT! finally got the shift rod out and it was bent. Got it straightened out and after putting it back together it shifts perfectly!

but i need to put fresh grease on the whole shift assembly coming up because it feels like it could be smoother.

Thanks for the help Mike!
 
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