Yamaha OB motor problem

Maidhci

I have a reasonably new Yamaha 5C OB motor and notice that the gear lever has become extremely stiff, very difficult to move in both forward and reverse directions. It is obviously in need of lubrication but do not know where to apply grease to ease this function. The manual is not very helpful in this instance. Is this something that needs professional attention or is it possible for an amateur to rectify? I usually do my own servicing of the motor on an annual basis. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

fergal.b

Hi Maidhci, Have a look at the oil in the lower gear box to see if any water has got in if so this can cause the shift rod to corrode and stiffen it up.
Also spray some WD40 around these linkages.



Failing that you might have to remove the gear box and see if you can change it by hand, high revs on the engine can also make it hard to change gear but I don't think thats the problem here.






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Maidhci

Thanks for the information and diagram fergal.b. I changed the gear oil some weeks ago before putting the engine into storage for the winter - oil seemed fine, no sign of it being milky, which would suggest that saltwater is not getting in? Definitely, not a question of high revs in this instance! Will apply WD40 to the easily accessible linkages outlined in the diagram. I haven't removed the engine casing which appears necessary to access linkages 9,10,11 - not sure if I am competent enough to attempt this part but will have a look. Again, many thanks for your help.

breghall

Maidhci wrote: »

. I haven't removed the engine casing which appears necessary to access linkages 9,10,11 -

These parts are more than likely to be found half way down the leg there should be a rubbber plug that you remove to gain acess to them. They need to be disconnected when removing the gear box. I can't see these being the source of your trouble.

fergal.b

To get at the linkages 9,10, and 11 you should have a little cover plate on the leg something like number 9 on this one. As breghall says it won't be the cause of your problem but you should be able to tell what end your problem is at when you drop the gearbox while you have it off you might as well change the impeller.

Guest0000

You could try adjusting the small clamp on the shift rod, ref fergals diagram, no 10 remove the small rubber bung and look for marks of the previous clamp position, a slight adjustment will make a difference, or you could release the clamp and look at where the stiffness occurs, either the lower end or the gear shift linkage....

Maidhci

Thanks Guest0000 - will try this over the weekend, didn't even know that the clamp was adjustable.