01 Sport/Air Nautique Stuck In Gear

[mhill018]

I bought a 2001 Sport/Air Nautique W/ PCM Apex 320hp Multi-Port EFI back in April with 660hrs. on it. I've put 70hrs on it since then. Since purchasing the boat has ran flawlessly. You can tell by the condition it has been meticulously maintained from front to back. I check fluids before every use and empty water strainer also. Temp gauge never goes above 165°F-170°F. Oil pressure around 20PSI in neutral, 40PSI when RPM's increased. No leaks everything appers to be pristine.

I was out over the weekend and noticed the boat would idle in gear while the throttle was in neutral. At first I though I was losing my mind but I left the boat in neutral and checked the stuffing box, the shaft was indeed turning slowly. When you first start the boat it wont be in gear, if you engage forward and then back to neutral it will still idle in gear. You have to kill the boat and start it back up to be in neutral again.

I have no issues going into forward gear, no isses going into reverse gear. Everything sounds solid, no weird sounds or slippng.

Anybody had the same issue? Completely out of the blue. I am the only driver and have ran this thing atleast a few hours every weekend since I had it.

[a0128]

This is oftentimes referred to as a dirty neutral. There is a possibility that your clutch plates are warped and your transmission may be ready for a rebuild. Before pulling the bilge plug and letting her sink to the bottom of the lake you might try changing the transmission fluid. You'll need approximately 2 quarts of Dexron III. If you can't find any Dex III then use Valvoline DEX/MERC. Do not use DEX IV or any type of synthetic ATF and don't overfill it.

[mhill018]

Thanks for the response. Were you inferring I would be better off sinking the boat than rebuilding the transmission? I was a little thrown off when I read might need a tranny rebuild, but before you sink it just try changing the tranny fluid HAHA.

[Quinner]

Great diagnosis and advice above. Know of many older CC's out there with the same issue that have been running that way for years, wont really hurt anything as long as you are not running it on the hose a ton at high RPM. There was a marine trans guy in Ohio, Fantastic Finish Marine, give him a call if you want to get an idea of what a replacement or rebuild would cost.

[mhill018]

Thanks guys! That was my primary concern, if further use would result in further damage. I might deal with it for the time being while looking into the replacement vs. rebuild. Thanks again!

[a.klos]

Let us know what machanics are charging

[mhill018]

I spoke with a guy from Fantastic Finish Marine. He quoted me $970 for a basic rebuild, said they were running 3-4 days. 1 year warranty. Sounds decent? From my research they appear to be the only place multiple people have recommended for a rebuild. Pretty sure I'm going to have them rebuild it over the winter, my only other thought it to go new. I see I can get a new one for $2,200.00 ($1,230 more). My thought with the new is if they take this bad boy apart and it starts costing me more than just a basic rebuild.....how much am I really saving compared to going with a new? I might dwell on this for a little bit, considering I have such a long offseason! Any thoughts?

[charlesml3]

My thought with the new is if they take this bad boy apart and it starts costing me more than just a basic rebuild.....how much am I really saving compared to going with a new? I might dwell on this for a little bit, considering I have such a long offseason! Any thoughts?

Highly unlikely. If it was me, I'd have mine rebuilt. It'll come back good as new.

-Charles

[gary s]

What ever you do check and see if it is required to install a new trans cooler to validate the warranty,it can be in the fine print. Also check Skidim they have complete kits with the new updated 80I trans,damper,and cooler for around 1800 and using the right code you can get 10% discount. Something to think about and maybe pick their brain. Check with Townsend at Nautique Parts too,maybe they will price match,does not hurt to ask.