Volvo engage gear, d4-300

[Rodeo]

Last weekend i was out and about, and whilst maneuvering at slow speed, my port engine wasn't engaging forward gear. If i returned the throttle to neutral, then applied forward, it engaged all was fine. I only noticed it a few times.
Starboard engine seemed fine. Any thoughts or recommendations would be most helpful.

Thanks
Boat is fairly new to us.

 

[aquatom]

1) check gear cable adjustment.
2) check excessive play in gear cable.
3) check gear cable moves freely.
4) check for contaminated oil in the drive.

 

[Sishoe]

Last year mine started doing exactly the same, to a point where a little throttle needed applying to get the drive to engage forward. Turned out the clutch cone was worn, I had them replaced in both drives and all good since. The boat had only done 200hrs !!

 

[bluejasper2]

1) check gear cable adjustment.
2) check excessive play in gear cable.
3) check gear cable moves freely.
4) check for contaminated oil in the drive.

d4 fly by wire no cables

 

[wakeup]

Sounds like your gear shift actuator (electrical to mechanical) is dying. This is quite common on D4 unfortunately.

You could swap the suspect port actuator with the starboard unit to see if the problem moves.

 

[volvopaul]

d4 fly by wire no cables

D4/6 sterndrive does have a manual shift cable from the actuator to the drive, it is this that aquatom is referring to.
Any poor set up adjustment will not allow the cone clutch to engage. If there is a wiring fault in the system this will show up as a fault code. The op isn't saying there is a fault code present so it sounds mechanical rather than electrical.

What make and model of boat is it?

 

[Rodeo]

Hi all,
Thanks for the responses, its a sealine sc35 2008, engines same year. There is no fault code.

 

[volvopaul]

Hi all,
Thanks for the responses, its a sealine sc35 2008, engines same year. There is no fault code.

Ok , sounds like the stainless bracket on the drive may be loose or bent , have you had a service this year yet, where is boat located?

 

[Rodeo]

It had a inspection / service before delivery, only got it in december, didn't notice this during sea trial.
It doesn't do it every time. I don't throttle, just back to neutral then back to forward and it will engage.

Thanks