- Reverse anti-tilt lock problem

141 Posts

Posted - 23 Apr 2022 : 16:14:38

Right - my brand new 2005 Tohatsu 9.8 hp motor is on the boat and I took it for a test run. Has anyone had any problems with this motor, involving the anti-tilt lock mechanism to prevent the engine rising out of the water under its own power when in reverse? Mine appears not to be working. I have the workshop manual but it doesn't seem to include any way of adjusting the linkage. Grateful for any help!

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5990 Posts

Posted - 23 Apr 2022 : 20:25:27

They are usually linked in to the gear selector Tom so they can lift in neutral or forward if you hit something but locked for reverse, sorry can't help any more that that as not familiar with that engine.
My old 8hp yam was just a spring locked setup that would let go if hit hard enough, that had a habit of jumping up if reversed hard.

NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.

141 Posts

Posted - 23 Apr 2022 : 21:52:44

Thanks, df. Mine jumped up so hard that it went into the fully "up" position and locked there! Didn't half make me jump. I'll be on the boat tomorrow, with the workshop manual, so I'll be seeing if I can work out what's wrong. I have a couple of ideas for things to try.

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225 Posts

Posted - 26 Apr 2022 : 23:13:51

Got the same motor Tom. Not had any problems, but it may be that the pin that locks the motor down in reverse has "burred" by perhaps not engaging properly.
I am not aware if it can be adjusted, but as has been said,it is activated by the reverse lever ( on the engine) so this needs checking.

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5990 Posts

Posted - 27 Apr 2022 : 08:01:17

On most outboards the pin is removable as it is used to set the trim position often with just a drop nose to hold it in place, has it gone awol?

NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.

141 Posts

Posted - 27 Apr 2022 : 19:35:45

I think I might have an answer. I need to alter the tilt of the motor first, as at the moment, the leg isn't perpendicular to the water surface. I then have to adjust the sliding "stopper" on the shift rod. I think I know what needs doing, and will have a go tomorrow.

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225 Posts

Posted - 28 Apr 2022 : 09:45:58

There is a pull out button on the stbd side which gives three tilt position to get the leg perpendicular.
Adjusting the gear shift rod may fix your problem.Perhaps allowing enough movement to change gear,but not enough to completely engage the reverse lock.
Please let us know what happens.

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5990 Posts

Posted - 28 Apr 2022 : 10:33:40

I would say if the same as this the sprung pin circled to the right needs to be in place and the other circle has the catch that is adjusted by moving the black stop on the gear rod so the pin is fully grabbed when in reverse.
If partially tilted for shallow water the catch would not work, any trim angle needs to be adjusted by the sprung pin.

NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.

141 Posts

Posted - 28 Apr 2022 : 10:57:12

Thanks, df and MH. My motor has the three-position knob for adjusting the trim, and I hadn't noticed that the motor, when I fitted it a few days ago, wasn't perpendicular to the water surface, so that's the first thing I'll be adjusting later this morning, before moving on to the adjustment of the stop on the gear-rod. I'll let you know how I get on!

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5990 Posts

Posted - 28 Apr 2022 : 12:18:26

That push button is likely shallow water adjustment and the reason why it's not staying down then, the catch needs to be on the proper pin.

NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.

141 Posts

Posted - 28 Apr 2022 : 17:25:16

Right - all done! My trim adjustment is a 3-position knob, as described by MH, giving three positions about an inch apart. The motor wasn't perpendicular to the water surface, so moved it to the middle preset position and it was just right. The black stop on the shift rod was able to turn and slip down, so after 5 minutes slight adjustment to it, and tightening it up properly when finished, I found it all works! Went out for a test run, for half an hour, changing from forward to reverse, using reverse to stop the boat etc. and all good.

MH and df - thanks you very much for your advice. Really grateful to you.

Edited by - Tom Morgan on 28 Apr 2022 17:30:51

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225 Posts

Posted - 30 Apr 2022 : 19:20:35

My Tohatsu is a 2018 model, and the handbook is as DF has posted.It says not to engage reverse when in the shallow water position. However,I have used reverse several times in a shallow water position (I was2 on the Huddersfield shallow)and all worked fine. I wonder if the handbook is referring to an earlier model of outboard,and the handbook hasn't been updated.

141 Posts

Posted - 30 Apr 2022 : 20:25:58

Mine has a three-position button on the Starboard side. It allows for three trim positions. Instructions are for adjusting the trim angle. (In the section on tilting the motor, the manual also warns against using reverse in the shallow water setting.)

Edited by - Tom Morgan on 30 Apr 2022 20:38:03

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225 Posts

Posted - 01 May 2022 : 11:21:10

Well I can only say I have used reverse in the shallow water position and it worked fine.
As it was shallow water I was only pootling along at tickover speed or a little more,Maybe giving a burst of power in the shallow water position is not recommended.Anyway, I have now sold my boat and am looking for a Norman 23 Mk3.
Boats that three or four years ago were changing hands for �3-5K are now asking �8-10K! Bugger!maybe I should have kept my old boat. #128560;