Boat Throttle Shifter Cable Lubrication made easy

[@hullhealersboatworksrestor4377]

I have to say, you sir are a genius. I am no mechanic, I do paint and fiberglass but I’ve been around engines and mechanics all my life, never seen this way of doing it. Much easier than some other ways I’ve seen. Great job sir.

[@fixthemthings]

Hey. Appreciate the kind words. My shift cable finally broke 2 years later. I will say just go ahead and replace the shift cable since it sits in water. No need to replace the throttle cable. I have another video on replacing both cables. Thanks.

[@tomcanfield6908]

Thanks for the video, it was extremely helpful! Once I got going with it, I came up with a small improvement to your idea. Before putting the cable end into the funnel, cut a corner off the bottom of the zip lock bag and put the small end of the funnel through it and tape securely. Then proceed to insert the cable and tape as you showed in the video. Once the lubricant is in the funnel, you can pull the bag over the top and seal the zip part. The air will be completely trapped inside and you won't have to worry about trying to seal the bag around the funnel with your hands while squeezing it. It makes it much easier to build up some pressure.

[@geojones4718]

The best video of the year so far for me.

[@cannonballken9807]

I watched your u tube, and am so happy it worked for me. Thanks much. The plastic bag didn’t work to well for me , but it did work. I was in a bind last minute, after leaving my boat in storage for 6 years. I had figured new impeller, changed the oil, fuel filter, new tires, since the boat was 27 years old. The belllows are fine . I have to say everything checked out until running the engine and tried to shift it into reverse. I now can leave this Sunday morning traveling 7 hours to Kentucky with my grandchildren for a weeks vacation without worrying about trying to get into reverse and not causing any problems to me and anyone else. Thanks much again!

[@MixiMera]

You’re a smart guy. I really liked your taped up funnel and the plastic bag to force the lubricant down.

[@berjo77]

Fantastic! I’m not a “boat guy,” but neither is my friend whose bought a used boat and wants to share. He’s less mechanically inclined than I, (lots of manufacturing robots and other systems work) so I came to learn. Success! His cables are our priority right now, so I REALLY appreciate this work. Great job, stay safe!

[@jawaring]

If you need more pressure, get a piece of vinyl reinforced tube closest to your cable end diameter. Hose clamp it on there and fill the tube with whatever lubricant you want. Then clamp a schrader valve on the opposite end of the tube and use a bike tire pump to add 10-15 psi. Then drink a few beers while you watch the lube level go down into the cable. This is especially useful on longer boats that have longer runs of shift/throttle cable.

[@fixthemthings]

Good one. I like it. Especially the part about watching it. Ha.

[@bobpaulino4714]

Absolutely love Kano's Aero-Kroil. Was told that it was originally engineered for the aviation industry. Has been around since 1939.

[@DannyWalker1949]

I've been machination for years now and that Kroil IS the BEST I've Found yet Bar-None

[@fixthemthings]

It is the best. Great for guns too. I prefer it over WD40 and PB blaster.

[@DannyWalker1949]

@@fixthemthings YES I quit using WD 40 crap many years ago,,,

[@tnysalvaggio]

First run of boat from the winter. Foreward. Gear. Runs great put it reverse. It keeps stalling. Going try this gear cable lubing. Great video. Thx for posting.

[@markf6743]

Good idea. I will do it this way. There’s no reason to spend lots of money on a fancy fix when this works so well. :)

[@Draza17]

Use a wet dry vacuum to pull it through while moving the throttle cable back and forth, works like a charm and fast.

[@wrotedog]

Awesome video, this should be incorporated maintenance with semi annual maintenance with all out drive cables..

[@fixthemthings]

It only lasted 2 years then the cable holder broke. I have another video on replacing the cable. $80. Easy to do. The new cable is sooo much smoother.

[@goofe.washington953]

The bag trick…..love it

[@deltarat64]

Awesome information, I have the same problem and will be trying this out this week.

[@rodr6897]

Thanks for your video , I will try this because I never lubricate the cable since when I bought this boat 5 years ago.

[@anthonyspadafora1384]

Thank you...Remove the complete panel. Did not think of that.

[@mattmccoy2410]

Definitely gonna try this out

[@michaelking42]

Nice job, thanks for taking the time to create this video. Maybe I'll do it to my boat, too.

[@johnbaxter85]

Great video and instruction. I will give it a try on my throttle control. Thank you.

[@fixthemthings]

Just so you know. The stiffness will most likely be from the gear shift cable and not so much from the throttle cable since the shift cable sits in the water. Mine is still doing good.

[@johnbaxter85]

@@fixthemthings Thank you, much appreciated. Cannot find Kroil here is Australia, going to use CRC 808 Silicon.

[@BigAgitator]

I’m really impressed. Gonna’ do this to my boat! Very good idea and execution!

[@fixthemthings]

It works a lot smoother. If you want, you can follow up with a light oil since Kroil is a solvent oil. I didn’t, but thought I would tell you that.

[@ls2gudchevs752]

Thnk u so much men super nice trick gonna do that 2 mine, I'm in the process of getting the boat back in the water since pandemic hits🤙 stay safe God bless.

[@TwazkemUSAbi]

get your monkey pox here

[@mikewoodard4029]

Nice video. Nice job. I did this but only added engine oil to cable sleeves at the helm. It helped but only a fair- good amount. Didn't use my favorite penetrating oil THRUST in fear it might collect dust/dirt etc and make worse down the road

[@mwgrc]

Excellent Idea

[@puppyupper4565]

I thought you were a good guy till you mentioned guns.......Now I think you are great. Definitely voted for Trump like me.

[@fixthemthings]

You got that right!

[@richardcranium3579]

Boooyah! FJB

[@quadmaster96]

100% works. Thank you for the idea!

[@fixthemthings]

Glad it worked for you. Happy boating!

[@victoroneschuck4139]

Good idea. Simple n effective. Sometimes we compicate the repair. Thanks!

[@fixthemthings]

Yes. I like simple. Thanks.

[@KRColson]

Brilliant idea! Thank you.

[@chadmurray3621]

great job 👍 thanks

[@oonojoe]

Thanks. Great video.

[@Музыка-ч1з]

Good explanation. Thanks

[@dynamitedmoney]

Can you do a video how to remove the panel?

[@christopherdeluco]

Do you want to drain all the oil? Or just wait for some to come out to ensure it’s made it way through the cable and put it back together?

[@fixthemthings]

It’s just a temporary fix to get you going another couple years. I have replaced the cables about 2 years after this video. The new cables are well worth it. $80 each. Doesn’t matter on the oil. The plastic retainer on your cable will eventually break anyways.

[@acatnamedqueenb7047]

Real helpful man, thank you!

[@davidqi8073]

Hi, I want to thank you for your video, and also have a few questions if anyone can help. My Mercruiser alpha one experienced reversing gear stall in the engine. Wondering if i lubricate the throttle cable and the shift cable will fix that problem? I can feel the cables are very stiff. Thanks.

[@fixthemthings]

Lubing the cables got me two more years out of the cables. Then the shift cable broke a few weeks ago. I would just go ahead and replace the cables. I just did it recently and took the boat out today. Wow what a difference. I have a link to replacing the cable at the end of this video.

[@shawnmcknight5960]

I wonder if you could just tape a shop vac hose to the funnel and force the oil down the cable much quicker? I've got an Alpha 2, so I'd prefer to not have to drop the lower unit if possible!

[@fixthemthings]

Good idea. Should work. In the long run you will be better off just replacing the shift cable. Mine lasted 2 more seasons then the plastic holder broke. Replaced the cable for $80 and it is much easier to move. I made another video on how to do that on VolvoPenta.

[@shawnmcknight5960]

@@fixthemthings I wish Merc lower units had a cover like Volvo does to get to impeller & shift cable…without having to drop the whole lower end.

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

right on, thanks

[@mooch2u]

Nice job I want to do this to my cables I have the same single controller but it looks like the manufacture just cut a round hole in the fiberglass and I cant figure out how to get the controller off and out

[@fixthemthings]

I couldn’t figure out how to get the controller off either that’s why I took the whole panel off. There must be bolts under some secret cover somewhere. You may have to just take the cotter pins out while in place.

[@kx5008]

Can you make a video on how to take the shifter handle assembly completely out of the side of the boat like you had it in this video?

[@StaySaltyOutDoors]

Thankyou for this !!!

[@thomashurley7554]

nice video..... great ideas. Thanks

[@MrFescue]

Did you try shifting the lever on the drive itself with cables removed. My sx equipped boat shifts easily when drive is detached. seems maybe the load of the drive shifter lever causes cable to bind up. When shift drive lever arms they actually seem fairly stiff.

[@fixthemthings]

Yes. The shift lever was smooth. It was definitely the white build up in the end of the cable.

[@lionardorodriguez7301]

Can you please make a video disassembling that boat throttle and how is put back together I search everywhere and can’t find that boat throttle name or part number or a video of how to put it together the guy I bought the boat left the job half way done and it has problem going into reverse

[@StephenSlongo]

What is the make and model of this shifter? I have the same one, cant figure it out

[@fixthemthings]

I think I have the part number somewhere. I would have to search my computer. You would have to get an updated version of it anyway. You would need to get the same push pull actions that this shifter has. It would be best to contact Four Winns and see what the best replacement is.

[@fizzybillylah3816]

How has it held up?

[@fixthemthings]

It made it better but years later plastic holder broke. See my other video on replacing the cable. You will be better off replacing it. It is so much smoother. -$80.

[@shaynelhta]

Good tip!

[@ForeverMods]

Thanks for sharing !! Did you add that long spring to avoid gear play?

[@fixthemthings]

I did but I ended up moving it to the throttle body instead. The spring on the engine throttle was weak and helps it actually go to a better idle speed when shifting.

[@ForeverMods]

@@fixthemthings Thank you for your reply sir. Much appreciated !

[@blainegwen4858]

work with mercruiser I/o on bravo 3? steering cable is super stiff

[@tehranization]

Thanks alot very helpful

[@fixthemthings]

You can follow the kroil oil with a thin oil if you like. I didn’t on mine.

[@kingwjco]

Is that spring something that you installed mine did not have one.

[@fixthemthings]

Good eye. Yes, I installed that in the mean time until I was able to lube the cables. The cables are freed up now but the throttle spring at the engine intake is still not strong enough to make the butterfly close all the way which made my rpms to high at idle. I am removing the spring there and going to put one on the butterfly itself to bring the idle back down.

[@robertlivingston1634]

On the job we call aerokroil wonder lube, gonna have to give this a try.

[@choimdachoim9491]

Low Tech, high genius!

[@stevejette2329]

I changed my B.O.A.T. = Break Out Another Thousand to B.O.A.S.T. = Break Out Another SEVERAL Thousand. Unless I can find cheap, effective hacks like this on YT !! Thanks !

[@fixthemthings]

Funny and true! Haha.

[@controlsgirl]

Is it still smooth?

[@fixthemthings]

Yes. It broke up the white stuff in the shift cable from sitting in the water. Throttle cable was fine.

[@CrazyCanuckFitness]

Thank you!!

[@carlosmathias9908]

Would't be easier to loose the cable at the engine end?

[@fixthemthings]

If you only want to do the engine cable. If you want to do both cable then No. Most stiff cable problems would most likely be from the shift cable since it sits in the water.

[@carlosmathias9908]

@@fixthemthings Ah, OK, mine is an outboard, sorry!

[@rickyroan4651]

Thanks boss

[@dontblameme6328]

This is a very temporary fix. Kroil is a penetrant... Not a lubricant with staying power. Once the cable is freed it would be best to actually lubricate it following manufacturers recommendation.

[@fixthemthings]

You are correct. I thought I said to lube it in the video if you wanted too.

[@jmar2229]

Marine MacGyver!

[@shootinon3]

genius

[@CCROSS5882]

good ole Yanky ingenuity

[@timshockley6445]

Maybe grease the shifter as well

[@kingwjco]

I got my cables mixed you say bottom cable is throttle.

[@fixthemthings]

Yes I think the bottom one was throttle. I would have to look again to be sure.

[@chrislillehoff5302]

For what it’s worth… literally every box of replacement cables states to not lubricate core.

[@fixthemthings]

Yes, but when they are 28 yrs old I would say it’s ok.

[@ronnybullet6319]

Use blower