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2018 R7 380 Volvo Hesitates sometimes when shifting to reverse. If I go slighlty further, then it engages right away. Forward engages normally. No other drive issues, all maintenance up to date. Any pointers? TIA

The shift cable may need adjusting - it may be a part of the service manual for the outdrive, or for the remote control.

If you're unlucky, it may be something more complex. I'd go to Youtube and look for similar problems, like:

jb cruzan wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 9:36 am 2018 R7 380 Volvo Hesitates sometimes when shifting to reverse. If I go slighlty further, then it engages right away. Forward engages normally. No other drive issues, all maintenance up to date. Any pointers? TIA

In addition to the adjustment comment;

Does your drive have electric shift?

Have you checked gear oil level? Volvos are sensitive to gear oil levels if they are too high. Makes them harder to shift.

Make sure the gear oil you use does not have limited slip additive. I used to use Mobil one in my drives but stopped using it when they added the additive. Only used Volvo fluid after that.

Not sure on the drive being electric. It feels mechanical but ?

Thanks for the advice on the fluid level and type.

jb cruzan wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:22 pm Not sure on the drive being electric. It feels mechanical but ?

Thanks for the advice on the fluid level and type.

Then it likely is. You would know if it was electric since it would basically feel like no resistance when putting the boat in gear with the helm control.

The Mercruiser on my 2017 R5 is electric shift. You have to careful since its very hard to know when it is in gear

If you don't have a manual for the shifter with your engine stuff, perhaps a picture (of the shifter and outdrive) would help people here identify it? If it's electrical, you aren't looking at cable lash or length adjustment, but adjustment of an actuator assembly back near the outdrive. Others have more experience than I do and will chime in with more info.

John

Looks like Volvo introduced "silent shift" in 2019 so your boat won't have it.

bruceb58 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:39 pm Looks like Volvo introduced "silent shift" in 2019 so your boat won't have it.

I have a 2019 R3 that was produced before "silent shift" was introduced, but I'm pretty sure my controls is "fly by wire". I think the 2018 models were was well. I believe "Silent Shift" relates to the change in the gear system, rather than the fly by wire shift system.

BobRae99 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:42 am

bruceb58 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:39 pm Looks like Volvo introduced "silent shift" in 2019 so your boat won't have it.

I have a 2019 R3 that was produced before "silent shift" was introduced, but I'm pretty sure my controls is "fly by wire". I think the 2018 models were was well. I believe "Silent Shift" relates to the change in the gear system, rather than the fly by wire shift system.

You may very well be correct.

Just following up. I white flagged it and had a cobalt dealer check it out. He performed a volvo factory shift lever calibration and it now shifts as usual. Much more comforting when coming into dock and you need a little reverse and there's no delay. Thanks for all the suggestions.