www.iFourWinns.com

Alright guys, we went out for the last trip of the summer on Friday. The throttle seemed to be stickier than usual. The boat was running funny, struggling to get into drive and stay running. We were out there maybe an hour and the drive made a loud "clank clank clank clank" then popped and the drive wouldn't engage after that. The things that come to mind are the U Joint splines, gimble bearings, and maybe the throttle/shifter cable. Im wondering where to start first. Thanks

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1990 Horizon 200
5.7L OMC Cobra 260HP

If it was running bad after you shifted it into foward it's possible that the shift cable got sticky (then can corrode internally) and kept the ESA engaged which would cut like half the engine power...if you can't get the drive in gear at all, then first I'd verify that there's gear oil in it (lets hope so) and next I'd pull the the drive off and check the movement of the shift cable. You may just need a new shift cable. I'd also change the oil in the drive and check for metal chunks in the gear oil. One of the problems with the Cobra is that if the shift cable gets sticky or is out of adjustment, then the drive may not be fully in gear (the shift dog is not fully engaged with the foward or reverse gear) and it pop out of gear which can wear the shift dogs down. Eventually it will not stay in gear and you will need a lower unit re-build...have a look here for good info....
http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

Here is the right way to change the gear oil in a Cobra...
http://support.crowleymarine.com/entrie ... nt-filling

here's how to remove the drive...I built a stand to make it easier...

http://support.crowleymarine.com/entrie ... ve-removal

and here's how to reinstall it...

http://support.crowleymarine.com/entrie ... stallation

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

He Lou,
Any more info on checking the cable? I looked at all the sites you gave me, but was looking for more info.. maybe a simpler explanation. Does it require taking the drive off? Also, if Ice heard these cables can be troublesome.. have you ever done it? Or how many hours should it take a marine shop to do it? I honestly just dont know what to do at this point.

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1990 Horizon 200
5.7L OMC Cobra 260HP

Except for getting hold of an OE shop manual, the Hastings website is probably the best info out there. Yes you do have to remove the drive to adjust (probably replace in this case) the shift cable. I have not had to do it myself but when I first got this boat it shifted OK into gear but would not come out of reverse....and sometimes the ESA would stick on when it was in gear...after a season of this I took it to the best OMC shop around and they adjusted the cable and lubed all the pivot points (this was about 6 years ago). It shifts well and has been fine since then. I do remove the drive each season and check everything esp the bellcrank in the pivot housing, which can get deposits built up behind it which can cause difficult shifting. I'd see if there is a good shop in your area that knows Cobras...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II