Mercury Force problem

[vsibley55]

I have a mercury Force 40 HP I don't know the year model I put it in the water and when I put it in forward gear it wouldn't engage engine just idled up. it would go in reverse but not forward, I took it home hook to water hose did the same thing. I haven't had any problem with it in the past. It has been setting for several months I decided to hook to a hose and take a look at it yesterday and it worked fine forward and reverse. what could this have been ? I haven't put back in the water and tried it yet. Thanks in advance

 

[Tonyk1984]

I had a force that had similar issues years ago. My problem turned out to be a small fitting that had rusted out and broken. This fitting was on the lower unit and connected to the gearcase. It connected to the shifting rod.

 

[mechanicman]

It could be your shift cable is out of adjustment or has play in it.