Transmission worn clutch?

[peteSki]

Been searching through previous postings here trying to learn about what's causing the issue I'm having on a 2002 Ski Nautique 196. This boat has over 1500 hours (it's a club boat) and recently I've noticed that there is a longer than normal delay between shifting from neutral into forward before forward gear actually engages. Initially when the boat is first launched all runs normal, but after an hour or so after the transmission is fully warm, this delay starts getting longer and longer. Although it may end up taking 2 seconds for the boat to actually get into forward gear, once it is it gets up to speed and performs just fine, so no slipping there. Last time we changed the fluid was about 80 hours ago and new fluid seemed to fix the issue, but now there's 80 hours on it and it's back again. Normal change interval is 100 hours so I'm thinking there is some other issue, like possibly worn clutch plates for forward gear. Reverse gear is not affected, this behaves as it should when shifting from neutral. Fluid inspection shows it red, so I don't believe there is water getting into the transmission.

Hoping someone with more experience than me may have had this issue and can recommend the appropriate fix.

[Quinner]

Sounds more like a linkage issue to me??
Give Fantastic Finish Marine in Ohio a call, they are marine trans specialist.

[DLafont]

Not too sure where the club has its boat maintained, but my buddy had the transmission from my old Nautique rebuilt by Stuart from Genuine Marine in Ottawa area. Stuart pulled it from the boat at winterizing and put it back in in the Spring. He's a mobile mechanic, so he can go to your location. He's a knowledgeable guy for sure.

[IMScarlet]

Smell the oil for a kinda burnt toast smell as that will tell you that the clutch packs are slipping. Also check the oil cooler to see if the inlet of the water supply is free of debris. I'm assuming engine temp is behaving itself

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[peteSki]

Smell the oil for a kinda burnt toast smell as that will tell you that the clutch packs are slipping. Also check the oil cooler to see if the inlet of the water supply is free of debris. I'm assuming engine temp is behaving itself

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Engine temp is good, didn't notice a smell at last change but will check that again as well as the cooler.

[peteSki]

Not too sure where the club has its boat maintained, but my buddy had the transmission from my old Nautique rebuilt by Stuart from Genuine Marine in Ottawa area. Stuart pulled it from the boat at winterizing and put it back in in the Spring. He's a mobile mechanic, so he can go to your location. He's a knowledgeable guy for sure.

Yeah the club has used Stuart for several years for anything we don't do ourselves. I'm hoping I can at least get a good idea of what the issue is and that changing the fluid more often will get us through the next 6 weeks until the club is done for the season, then we'd have time for Stuart to do any work on the transmission that is required.

Pete