Ive got an old late 80’s early 90’s Mercury 25XD Outboard Motor that had some Carb trouble so I pulled it cleaned it and replaced the float that somehow got filled with water and new it runs great.
But as always once you fix one problem another arises…
Now the prop wont engage when I try to put it in gear. I checked the throttle box all the way to the motor and nothin is wrong there. When I put the throttle in gear the linkage in the motor moves but the prop wont turn. Any ideas? Does it sound like there could be something wrong in the shaft that runs from the motor down the foot to the prop? I need to do something to fix it before July 10th when my family comes down for vacation and will want to use it.
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
When you put it in gear and cut the engine…can you turn the prop by hand?
Mike
“Seahawk” 204CC Angler, 150 Merc
Yes the prop just free spins by hand with no resistance.
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
Did you reattach the shift linkage after working on carb? They are little black plastic push on connectors, and sometimes they break easily when old.
Bring on the 2-3 chop!
If you put it in gear, cut the engine you should only be able to turn the prop one way by hand…depending of course if it is fwd or rvs. If it is free spinning…and I am definately not an expert as many on here can attest to…but I would first check my hub and make sure all the linkage at the motor is connected properly. That’ll be the easiest stuff to check. If you KNOW all that is gtg, then you may have a problem in the L/U/ From my understanding if it is in the l/u, it could be the dog clutch or some linkage in the foot. It may just be another case of trouble shooting the easiest/cheapest stuff first, then moving up the ladder from there. Good luck and let us know what it was and how you found it.
Mike
“Seahawk” 204CC Angler, 150 Merc
I have heard if you shift the unit while on a trailer it will streetch the shoft cable, causing it to not engage. Hope that is not your problem, you can adjust the shift cable if that is your problem.
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
Thanks for the input fellas. Im starting to get close to the end of my rope when it comes to knowledge of boat motors. Ive called a buddy to come over sometime to take a look at it with me and see if he see something I dont. Ill keep yall posted. Thanks again for the help. Its always appreciated.
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle
You can also disconnect the control cable from the motor and try and shift the motor by hand. That will tell you if the l/u is working properly. If you can shift it by hand, then the problem is in the cables or at the control box. Normally, cables will not stretch to where they won’t engage. The only time i’ve ever seen cables stretch is if they are heated to where the metal cable melts or when they are under tension, like on an airplane. even then they will stretch minimally. I would guess that there is a problem at the cable connection point. Keep us posted.
“Hey this steak still has the marks where the jockey was hittin’ it!” ~RD
Finally got the boat fixed last week. Ended up being the pin that attaches the “Throtle Rocker” to the “Clutch Shaft” that engages the prop from forward to reverse. Not sure if those are the correct terms, but it the mechanism to the right of the Carb directly below the Starter. Thanks for all the input fellas, and a special thanks to the guys at Whitton Marine on Clements Ferry Road for showin me where to look and not chargin me a dime. 
“Pura Vida”
Smitty
India '07
15’ Alum. Fisher w/ Mercury 25HD
12’ Tarpon 120 w/ Two Arms and a Paddle