Hurth gearbox problem

[Fascadale]

My gearbox is not engaging properly. When I go into gear, using morse type controls the engine accelerates but does not always engage. If I then throttle back it usually then goes into gear. It makes a sort of whining noise when it is not engaging.

When it does engage properly it stays in gear and runs well ( so far, touch wood)

I've checked the oil level in the box, ATF, it's OK and I've given the linkage a visual check and a spray with 3 in 1. It all looks OK.

I've come 600 nms, with alot of motoring and have got another 600 nms to get home and three weeks to do it

Any suggestions?

 

[earlybird]

Since the box engages OK at times, my guess would be that the morse cable isn't moving the selector lever sufficiently.
For the smaller boxes, the upper connection point should move 35mm either side of neutral, 30mm for the lower point.
Using the lower point would provide more selector angular travel if cable travel is on the short side.
Make sure the selector lever isn't moving relative to the selector shaft.

 

[SHUG]

Disconnect the cable and try moving the lever at the box directly. If it engages and disengages cleanly the problem is probably the cable.
The clamp on the outer sleeve of the cable can become insecure and sometimes it will work and other times it wont. There are clamps at either end ie at the gearbox and at the control.

 

[Caer Urfa]

My gearbox is not engaging properly. Any suggestions?

You do not say 'which' hurth gearbox you have, but as you have an Invicta 26 I will guess it's a Hurth HBW 100-2R.

The bad news is everything you describe is the same symptons as I had with mine with 850hrs engine hours on it three weeks ago, we spent hours trying to adjust the contol cable and even renewed it in the end, but with the same problem, what is more frustrating is 'when it does go into forward gear AND the engine speed picks up it works fine, BUT I was not prepared to go to sea with a gearbox that sometimes worked , especially as I have to Lock 'in' and lock 'out'.

If you can get her into gear then you should get back, it's surprisingly not rocket science to get the old gearbox/drive plate out yourself, BUT, to instal a new gearbox without also fitting a new drive/thruster plate is a no no! so that's more expense.
After shopping around I have just paid £736.00 for new gearbox and drive plate.

If your box is the one above (the same as mine) then you will find it has been replaced with a ZF10-2R gearbox since ZF took over Hurth, also when it is out there will be a part number on the drive plate, my guess is it will begin with R & D -----

If you need help PM me and I will let you have more information.

Good luck

Mike

 

[Fascadale]

Many thanks for the advice and info. I'll check the clamps and cables and try to make my way home. I suspect it's an "engine out" job for the winter.

Do these gearboxes work like car gearboxes with thrust plates etc?

 

[peteK]

My gearbox is not engaging properly. When I go into gear, using morse type controls the engine accelerates but does not always engage. If I then throttle back it usually then goes into gear. It makes a sort of whining noise when it is not engaging.

When it does engage properly it stays in gear and runs well ( so far, touch wood)

I've checked the oil level in the box, ATF, it's OK and I've given the linkage a visual check and a spray with 3 in 1. It all looks OK.

I've come 600 nms, with alot of motoring and have got another 600 nms to get home and three weeks to do it

Any suggestions?

Try changing the oil,mine does that every couple of years change the oil and its ok for another couple of years

 

[Caer Urfa]

Many thanks for the advice and info. I'll check the clamps and cables and try to make my way home. I suspect it's an "engine out" job for the winter.
Do these gearboxes work like car gearboxes with thrust plates etc?

You do not need to take the engine out! It took me 1/2 a day to remove the flexable coupling, slide the shaft back, one tip put the wheel hard to port so the rudder allows more space for the shaft to come back, then I removed the muffler box, pumps etc.
Time to remove the gearbox and drive plate 2 hrs.

Yes they do have a drive/thrust plate.

Good luck

Mike

 

[Stu Jackson]

I remembered this from Maine Sail: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=672406&highlight=damper plate