2000 Johnson 225 Lower Unit Question

[Fishin'Chips]

I have a 1985 Wellcraft v20 with a 2000 Johnson OceanPro 225 Outboard.

When I shift to reverse it sometimes grinds a little and when I try to give it much speed it "jumps" backing. Otherwise it works fine. Any ideas on what I need to check for?

[THEFERMANATOR]

Need to drop the lower unit and measure teh shift shaft adjustment for starters. Many will turn it a turn or 2 when they do a water pump and this WILL prevent it from fully going into gear. Next you need to check your shift cable and adjustment to make sure it is fully engaging it. Most all of these new stylel owers seem to want to jump out of reverse as my 98 was the same way.

[Fishin'Chips]

It does seem to have started doing this early last summer when I had my water pump replaced come to think of it.

Is this an easy fix? I am not a marine mechanic. I am medchnical just not trained on this type of repair.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Not a bad job, might as well do the impeller while you are there as the lower unit has to come off to check the shift shaft length.

[RidgeRunner]

Ferm painted you the best case scenario there F&C. If the linkage and the shift cables check out within specifications then your next move is the clutch dog (attached to the prop shaft in the lower unit) which engages the forward and reverse ring gears. It can get worn to the point that it will do exactly what you described. It takes a ton of use in and out of gear to wear one out but the clunking you hear every time you move from neutral into gear is the clutch dog engaging the ring gear. The jumping in reverse with power applied is the clutch dog slipping from one cog to the next cog. Find the problem sooner or it will cost you a bunch later. I hope it is simply an adjustment. It wasn't for me.

[Fishin'Chips]

Thanks for all the help everybody! I'm in the process of getting all of these things checked and I'll let you know what the problem was when all the repairs have been done