Transmission trouble

[Lakeside]

Last week, our E22's transmission started acting up.  It does not shift smoothly from forward to reverse and back.  If you shift into gear, the engine revs and then the transmission "clunks" into gear.  Then, when you get it into forward, it accelerates to about 3,000 RPM and then engine automatically backs off to about 2,000 RPM, even though I don't pull back on the throttle.  This powering down seem very precise, as if a computer is causing it to pull up on the throttle.  The engine is running perfectly and the transmission fluid level is fine.

Any ideas on what's wrong?  I'm taking it into the shop later this week.  I happened to be near a Mastercraft dealer up in the Northwoods and they said that MC's use ZF Hurth transmissions.  Does anyone know whether our Epic ZF Hurth's are the same as the MC transmissions?

[Capt Rick]

Do you ever run the engine in neutral at high rpm? Sounds like clutch plates are bad. Does the shaft turn by hand w engine off. Does the prop turn in neutral?

[Lakeside]

The only speed that I've run it on in neutral is idle speed (in fact, I don't know how to run it in neutral at a higher RPM than idle speed).? The only time it has run at a higher RPM in neutral was last week when the RPM's increased prior to it engaging in gear, resulting in the "clunk."? This happened a few times on one day.? The next day, the RPM's backed down automatically when it hit 3,000 RPM and the boat has been on the trailer since.

I'll check to see if the prop turns with the engine off.?

Last week, I started it once with the throttle in the neutral position, but when the engine fired up, it was in reverse, which surprised me since I didn't think it could start in any gear except neutral.

Thanks for your help.

[lesman01]

MIne's real picky about being in neutral or it won;t even turn over. Sometimes I have to jiggle the handle a bit to make sure it's in nuetral. If you push in the black button in at the base of the shifter handle, you can then rev her up without being in gear.

Could be that button is malfunctioning or not fully out. Just a guess.

See if the cable going to the transmission is moving OK. Find the place on the transmission where the cable comes in and make sure it's moving smoothly with the engine off. You'll be able to tell where the transmission gets engaged when you move the handle to the first notch about 1/4 way forward.

That's where I would start, until someone else told me to check something else.

[ScarabEpic22]

Yea, I usually have to jiggle the throttle back and forth a few times to get it to work. Ski Masters tried to adjust it, but I guess the clearance is so small, that they couldnt.  I have learned to live with it.  Ohh, well, I love the rest of my boat!!

Erik
E22

[epic_toy]

I have to jiggle the throttle sometimes as well to get it to start. I believe it's a safety mechanism to ensure the boat isn't in gear when starting. Just guessing, but the throttle handle is probably directly tied to the ignition switch allowing this safe control. I'm also wondering if you're throttle handle to cable is loose which might allow a throttle in neutral- cable and transmission in reverse scenario on starting. Not sure if that explains the other problems you were seeing though...?

Boat should never start in gear I know for sure. That could be dangerous.

[highflyn]

Put your right leg in and shake it all about . If that doesn't work your screwed.
Epic toy- Mojito's at the Slip???

[curtis]

Thanks Forum,
Two summers ago I switch from a LH three blade to a RH four blade on my E-22.
 I reversed the linkage on the throttle. Preformance has improved.
After that sometime, the jiggle thing appeared. At least I didn't screw it up.
Mine will be coming off for inspection after the season is over.
Curtis

[wakejunky]

? Just a quick question there curtis. Are you telling us you switched from a LH rotation prop to a RH rotation? I did not think this was possible. Can you or someone else explain this to me??

[Lakeside]

I think my trouble is beyond the throttle jiggle.  I used to have to do that, too.  These are some great ideas and I'll check them out.  Thanks!

[curtis]

Wake,
Before switching to a opposing rotation, I checked with TMS, as it turns out the transmission can rotate in both directions whether in forward or reverse without any performance or technical problems. The throttle control  lever is set up to go both ways for different applications of boats. The nice thing is the four blade compared to the three. And now I can approach the dock on the drivers side and just reach out to grab, instead of jumping all the way over to the passenger side to try to safely dock.
The transmission still sounds the way it always did. I have 343 hours
on my 99 E22, hopefully we will get to 375 before the cold sets in.
Curtis
PS. Have a super weekend everybody!!!!!!!

[cyclone]

No kidding, wow, never knew that. Thanks for the info!

[HCollado]

OK... We need pictures. How do I reverse the rotation of the transmission? You mean by just changing the linkeage around?

I think my transmission is very loud. If changing the rotation will calm it down I would be willing to buy a left hand prop. I already have a right hand.


 

[curtis]

 The VT300I engine is so smooth the transmission is just noisy. The designers of the epics found out early on. All you will have to do is switch the linkage on the throttle control. It is a tight squeeze up under the edge to get to the control. You will need a small mirror, needle nose pliers, and a small wrench to take the linkage off. My E-22 is still as noisy as it was.

[ScarabEpic22]

My E22 is a RH rotation too, I forgot it came from the factory as LH.  My buddu's MC in CDA is a RH as well, so when I would go from boat to boat, I would have to readjust to the reverse is the opposite way.  Personally, I like being able to come up and talk to a skiier or boarder on the drivers side and reverse to help them board the platform.  Ski Masters did it for me before I took possesion back in Jan 00.  Dont think it took them that long at all.

Erik
99 E22