Slow to engage gear sometimes .... Should I worry?

JokersWild

JokersWild

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Well, Jokers Wild has been out for her first proper trip and we didn't hit anything, break anything or sink, so generally a success.

However, sometimes when going from neutral to ahead the prop didn't start to do anything for a few seconds, and then engaged with a big clunk. Didn't seem to do it astern. Should I worry?:confused:
 
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Something that should be investigated
I think. Maybe just cable adjustment required

I'd be as worried about it engaging with a "big clunk" as anything.

What gear box?
Maybe someone can shed some light on what is going on
 
Gear box

Mmmm. Well it's a Yanmar engine but has a Volvo morse. So I don't know what brand the gear box is (I'm better with the big flappy things than the engine bits, hence being worried about it)
 
As above it is important to establish that the correct oil is used.

Gear oil I'd have thought unlikely but it could be engine oil or automatic transmission fluid.

I'd suspect that your problem is due to incorrect adjustment of the gear shift cable between the control and the gear box.

Skipper Stu is the expert on anything and everything Beneteau if that's your new boat*.

Can but keep the question live until he sees it

* First ever boat I discover!
 
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Most Yanmar gearboxes are branded Kanzaki, which is a Yanmar company. The model number and ratio is usually stamped on the back of the gearbox. If your engine is a current model you can look up the likely gearbox type here. My own Kanzaki box uses ATF, but I think some do use oil. EP Barrus are the UK agents for Yanmar and I have found them very helpful. They gave me a instruction manual for my engine! There is a link to them on the webpage.
 
I think you will find that 3GM30 engines use either KM3A or KM3P gearboxes
Gear change is by means of cone clutches, the gears being in constant mesh. Engagement should therefore be smooth with no "big clunk"

KM series gear boxes use an SAE10W30 engine oil as the lubricant.

There is a short section in the owners manual that indicates that the gear change cable should be adjusted so that the control lever is in the neutral position when the selector lever on the gear box is in the neutral position. Logical!
I think this is the first thing to check.

There is more detail in the workshop manual on making the adjustment and checking the gear shift operation.

Both owners manual and workshop manual can be downloaded from http://www.motoren.ath.cx/menus/yanmar.php
 
Agreed the delay is probably down to cable adjustment (hopefully), but the clunk could be down to the propellor. Folding props can clunk on engagement, as the blades flip out to their end stops - or older ones that don't have bump stops!

It happens that mine tends to be the opposite, quiet enough into forward but clumks into reverse. C'est la vie, I guess.

Rob.
 
VicS said:
I think you will find that 3GM30 engines use either KM3A or KM3P gearboxes
Gear change is by means of cone clutches, the gears being in constant mesh. Engagement should therefore be smooth with no "big clunk"

KM series gear boxes use an SAE10W30 engine oil as the lubricant.
Click to expand...

But beware that the saildrive versions use EP80 grade!
 
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