Bad day today......2 kms from the ramp, slowed to checkout a workup and noticed outboard vibrating. Stopped and turned motor off to do a visual check.......nothing obvious, so attempted to restart to return to ramp. Motor started but cut out if I dropped revs to idle to engage forward gear. Managed to get it to run in gear and gently cruised home at 5 knots but definite gentle surging noticed and no response if I opened the throttle (thinking dirty fuel at this point!!). At ramp, checked everything incl. filters ( all clear) and started motor. Ran perfectly in neutral, nice and smooth at higher revs (water tell-tale fine at every point).
BUT.....put in forward gear at idle.......vibration (couldn't tell from where). So I'm presuming a gearbox issue?? Will drop oil out tomorrow then remove leg .........but am I on the right track?
Thoughts please ladies and gents. Any assistance greatly appreciated!!
Murphy's law.......we are heading north for our 10 day summer break at Whangarei Heads next weekend so really need this to be solved this week