sputtering engine when shifting

Jamiesboat · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:29 pm **Posts:** 17

I have a 1995 225 sundowner with a 5.8 cobra engine.Boat starts great but when I shift it into gear either reverse or forward it sputters as if its not getting fuel but once in gear when i give it full throtle it jumps up right onto a plane with no problems.This is driving me crazy when ever I come in to dock I look like a beginer at docking because it sputters when shifting into reverse or forward.Any help would be praised thank you I do love my boat.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:49 am

FI or carb? My first guess would be fuel filter for carb'd engine, or fuel pump for FI engine. Either way, sounds like a fuel prob.

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:24 am

A Cobra that does that usually has a sticky transom cable that is keeping the ESA system engaged too long. The ESA stumbles the engine for a split second so the dog clutches can release and allow it to shift into neutral. Merc Alphas will do the same thing when the cable gets sticky. You probably need a new cable. OMCs in the time frame of 94-95 or so could have either one of 3 different drives, the original OMC Cobra dog clutch, the OMC Cone Clutch, or the Joint Venture OMC Cobra/Volvo Cone Clutch....the above only applies to the OMC dog clutch...

A 95 should be the Volvo style drive that does not use the ESA but it still could be the dog clutch drive, post a pic then I could say for sure, but cone clutch drives don't use shift assists...only the dog clutch drives have that....

rpengr · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:44 pm

Agree with LouC that it does sound like the OMC ESA system.

Do you have one of these (on top of the engine where the shift cable attaches)?

If so, you do have the ESA system.
The grey triangular part at the lower left kicks up or down as you shift into forward or reverse. As it does, it pushes the little switch with the roller arm. That switch intentionally cuts your engine rpm down (and makes it run rough for a second). After the shift cable finishes moving, the grey triangle is supposed to spring back to center, releasing the switch, and the engine returns to normal.

As LouC said, if your shift cable going to the lower unit is stiff, then the lever may not return to center right away. Shift cable is most likely cause, but weak or broken spring here could also do the same thing. Adjustment of shift cable could also help, but look up the whole procedure for adjusting the shift mechanism before attempting, so you don't make it worse.

Also, with this type of OMC shifting mechanism, you should not be timid when shifting. I had learned to push the throttle/shifter lever rapidly from nuetral to forward idle or reverse idle. It can even help to push about 1/2" too far, then quickly return to forward idle before the engine responds. However, this is a temporary fix that might help get you through the season, but eventually you will want to change the shift cable. (requires removing the upper/lower unit).

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:12 pm

Well, looks like school is in session and I need a front row seat...didn't know about the ESA system :oops:

Jamiesboat · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:29 pm **Posts:** 17

Thank you for the replys and I do beleive you are right on the ESA system and sorry my boat is a 1992 sorry about that the triangle and switch's look right and if it was a fuel filter I dont think it would take off with out sputering when in gear I will look at this thanks again Jamie

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:08 pm

Ok if it's a 92 for sure it's a dog clutch drive so all of the above applies...

Jamiesboat · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:29 pm **Posts:** 17

Where or who in long island do you think I could find a good mechenic that still works on omc's I here they are very senstive to adjustments on the shifters and are known to blow out gears if not set up right.You alll have been a great help thank you

Jamiesboat · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:29 pm **Posts:** 17

Where or who in long island do you think I could find a good mechenic that still works on omc's I here they are very senstive to adjustments on the shifters and are known to blow out gears if not set up right.You alll have been a great help thank you

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:26 pm

cable

Jamiesboat · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:29 pm **Posts:** 17

Yes cable

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:38 pm

Snug Harbor Marine in Northport LI

Jamiesboat · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:29 pm **Posts:** 17

Thank you very much will follow up with them :mrgreen:

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:56 pm

They adjusted the cable on mine back in 2004 or so and I have not had to touch it since then, shifts with 2 fingers and no stalling. I do remove the drive each season, clean out the area around the bellcrank, grease it well with OMC triple guard grease and grease all the pivots on the shift linkages on the engine. I also get mine in good enough tune that it can idle smoothly at 600 rpms, that helps with shifting too. These older engines have points n condenser ignitions like we had back in the 60s and 70s so they need a real tune up now and then. Bad points will also cause problems with the ESA system.

Jamiesboat · **Joined:** Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:29 pm **Posts:** 17

Ok I removed the out drive un hooked all the cables to carbarator and esa switch then moved the shifter back and fourth was very easy to move did not seem to drag at all so I think I can rule out bad cables.It turns out that this year came frome the factory with a electronic esa ignition system.So saying that the cap and roter looked dirty I orded new plugs and wires could this be all it was or is there more that I should check maybe the spring on the shift interupter or the switch itself.A small note when the sputering started I also noticed that the tack was acting crazy bouncing alover the place ???? Thank you again every one has been great and every thing is a new learning experice.
Jamie

www.iFourWinns.com

sputtering engine when shifting

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