My buddy has a Mastercraft X-30, and floated her for the first time last
week. The engine started perfectly, but he couldn't get it to shift into
forward or reverse. The throttle lever worked as advertised, but no action
at the prop.

I assumed it was a busted linkage or cable, and looked at it today. The
cable and linkages are all fine. Before he hauls it off to the local dealer
to get soaked, does anyone have a simple explaination as to why this would
happen after sitting idle for about 5 months? I noticed some wiring going to
the transmission in the area the cable attaches, so I'm wondering if there's
some sort of electrical safety lock-out of some sort.

Thanks for any help, and sorry for the on-topic post g

--Mike

mgg wrote:
My buddy has a Mastercraft X-30, and floated her for the first time last
week. The engine started perfectly, but he couldn't get it to shift into
forward or reverse. The throttle lever worked as advertised, but no action
at the prop.

I assumed it was a busted linkage or cable, and looked at it today. The
cable and linkages are all fine. Before he hauls it off to the local dealer
to get soaked, does anyone have a simple explaination as to why this would
happen after sitting idle for about 5 months? I noticed some wiring going to
the transmission in the area the cable attaches, so I'm wondering if there's
some sort of electrical safety lock-out of some sort.

Thanks for any help, and sorry for the on-topic post g

--Mike



The throttle lever becomes a shift lever too, once you push the shift
lock-out button in.

Rob

The throttle lever becomes a shift lever too, once you push the shift
lock-out button in.

Thanks Rob, but we know that ;-) As I tried to state, the lever moves the
linkage on the transmission as it should, the gears just do not engage. Any
ideas?

--Mike

"trainfan1" wrote in message
...
mgg wrote:
My buddy has a Mastercraft X-30, and floated her for the first time last
week. The engine started perfectly, but he couldn't get it to shift into
forward or reverse. The throttle lever worked as advertised, but no
action at the prop.

I assumed it was a busted linkage or cable, and looked at it today. The
cable and linkages are all fine. Before he hauls it off to the local
dealer to get soaked, does anyone have a simple explaination as to why
this would happen after sitting idle for about 5 months? I noticed some
wiring going to the transmission in the area the cable attaches, so I'm
wondering if there's some sort of electrical safety lock-out of some
sort.

Thanks for any help, and sorry for the on-topic post g

--Mike

The throttle lever becomes a shift lever too, once you push the shift
lock-out button in.

Rob

mgg wrote:
The throttle lever becomes a shift lever too, once you push the shift

lock-out button in.

Thanks Rob, but we know that ;-) As I tried to state, the lever moves the
linkage on the transmission as it should, the gears just do not engage. Any
ideas?

--Mike

Well, it's a pretty new boat, so I doubt the heat exchanger is ruptured,
but how is the fluid level in the transmission?

The wiring is just a neutral safety switch. The transmission is all
mechanical/hydraulic.

Rob

how is the fluid level in the transmission?

I'll have him check. I'm an out drive guy and have no idea how to check the
fluid in an inboard. In case he doesn't know (he's not the most mechanical
guy in the world), are you familiar with that engine/transmission? How would
I check?

I have time to help him with this since his service app't is for May 5th...

Thanks for your help.

--Mike

"trainfan1" wrote in message
...
mgg wrote:
The throttle lever becomes a shift lever too, once you push the shift

lock-out button in.

Thanks Rob, but we know that ;-) As I tried to state, the lever moves the
linkage on the transmission as it should, the gears just do not engage.
Any ideas?

--Mike

Well, it's a pretty new boat, so I doubt the heat exchanger is ruptured,
but how is the fluid level in the transmission?

The wiring is just a neutral safety switch. The transmission is all
mechanical/hydraulic.

Rob

mgg wrote:
how is the fluid level in the transmission?


I'll have him check. I'm an out drive guy and have no idea how to check the
fluid in an inboard. In case he doesn't know (he's not the most mechanical
guy in the world), are you familiar with that engine/transmission? How would
I check?

I have time to help him with this since his service app't is for May 5th...

Thanks for your help.

--Mike

There is a dipstick in the top of the case - with a rubber expansion
plug as part of it to keep it sealed. Unscrew it enough to loosen,
check the fluid level - top off with type F ATF.

Rob

I'll have a look. Thanks Rob!

--Mike

"trainfan1" wrote in message
...
mgg wrote:
how is the fluid level in the transmission?


I'll have him check. I'm an out drive guy and have no idea how to check
the fluid in an inboard. In case he doesn't know (he's not the most
mechanical guy in the world), are you familiar with that
engine/transmission? How would I check?

I have time to help him with this since his service app't is for May
5th...

Thanks for your help.

--Mike

There is a dipstick in the top of the case - with a rubber expansion plug
as part of it to keep it sealed. Unscrew it enough to loosen, check the
fluid level - top off with type F ATF.

Rob

I was away for the last week visiting family. Today, I found the elusive
transmission plug. There is no dipstick. Just a screen (filter) of sorts
that come out after the cover is off. I'm guessing this is bad news, but the
fluid is a pale red with small white globules. I know what ATF looks like,
and this didn't look good. Heat exchanger?

Thanks.

--Mike

"mgg" wrote in message
. ..
I'll have a look. Thanks Rob!

--Mike

"trainfan1" wrote in message
...
mgg wrote:
how is the fluid level in the transmission?


I'll have him check. I'm an out drive guy and have no idea how to check
the fluid in an inboard. In case he doesn't know (he's not the most
mechanical guy in the world), are you familiar with that
engine/transmission? How would I check?

I have time to help him with this since his service app't is for May
5th...

Thanks for your help.

--Mike

There is a dipstick in the top of the case - with a rubber expansion plug
as part of it to keep it sealed. Unscrew it enough to loosen, check the
fluid level - top off with type F ATF.

Rob