Outboard engine gearboxes

[C08]

My outboard has developed an occasional fault. It locks in gear and the remote control will not go into neutral. Turning off the engine frees it up an I can do neutral and restart ok. I do not think it is the remotes or cages. The engine is a 25 hp Yamaha. I suspect the gear that slides on the splined shaft is sticking, a burr or something. I have changed the gear oil and no sign of any metal swarf or water in oil. It could of course be the selector for that pushes the gear back or forward to change the gear FWD to neutral etc. I have only once had one of these apart which looks inevitable to me but I would appreciate any alternative views on this problem. Engine is 6 years but only around 400 hrs.

 

[tross]

I would recommend that you halve the problem first by removing the control cable from the gear lever on the outboard and try engaging / disengaging gears from there. If that works, I would look at the remote gear lever and cables.