MS2 Reverse gear neutral trouble

[gregt812]

Hi all,
I have a 1984 Whitby 42 with a Volvo Penta MD30 and a MS2 Reverse gear.
A week ago I started having trouble shifting into neutral while the engine is running. I can shift to neutral with the engine off and, if I shift very slow and gently, I can get it into neutral wile the engine is running. But, mostly, it shifts directly from forward to reverse bypassing neutral. I changed the oil (very brown and dirty) but this did not help.
Any advice, before start dissembling, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[scottie]

Buy or borrow the manual first
The selector is a wedge running in a V in the cone
It will either be miss adjusted or worn and not going deep enough to stop it self engaging

 

[superheat6k]

I wrote this manual for the MS3B when my box played up a few years ago and I couldn't find a manual, so wrote one myself.

I expect the MS2 will be similar.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2n3rlh4auna1qbz/Volvo Penta MS3B Gearbox overhaul instructions.pdf?dl=0

 

[RIBW]

Hi,
There are many postings on this site about issues similar to the one you are experiencing. (I'm no expert so will avoid giving specific advice).
Start with
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?312148-Forward-drive-not-engaging-Volvo-MD2020
which includes a good video in #8

As scottie suggests, obtain a manual - mine came from manuals.lib or somesuch.

Also, the following may help
http://www.justanswer.com/boat/6x3cp-engine-volvo-penta-md2030-reverse-gear-ms2a-d-fitted.html
and
http://EzineArticles.com/1808322

There are several forum postings on the subject in 2003 to 2005 and in 2009
Good luck
Bob