Lack of reverse gear

[two stroke mick]

I have a 2001 two stroke 15 hp tiller steer Johnston. The engine will only some time select reverse gear. Nutral and forward no problem. Thoughts please
Tsm

[spartacus]

Try shift gear adjustment. Have you tried disengaging it from the gear selector lever and trying the gear selector cable manually? Once it's in reverse, does it stay in reverse?

Could be an opportunity to replace the impeller so you can drop the leg and see everything is sitting properly. Should be in neutral before you drop it. Double check gear oil when you drain it, there's no emulsification or metal filings.

[two stroke mick]

Tiller steer

Have changed impeller

The gear box was leaking thus when I purchased the engine these was no fluid in the box. I must drain the new fluid and check for metal

Tsm

[Davie]

Assuming this worked fine before you changed impeller. Its possible the 3/8" bolt that joins the gear linkage is not in the centre of the indent in the shaft coming up from the gearbox or when it was off you turned the gearshaft clockwise which shortens the rod so you get no reverse. The gear rod coming from the box can be turned anticlockwise up to 5 turns to get it the correct length. There is a set measurement for this and hopefully somebody has time on here to google it, if not I will get this for you tomorrow.

[two stroke mick]

Davie

The shift rod is currently wound in fully. I can only wing it in ( clock wise) a quarter of a turn. I will try wind acw by a turn or two and see if that works

Tsm