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1992 cobalt 255 cc, 7.4 merc.

Boat will not slip into neutral, forward and reverse are fine though. Is this a cable adjustment/replacement issue or something more serious?

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Hey mhorn0817. So glad you found us!

It’s serious in the fact that you are stuck in either forward or reverse with no other option to stop other than turning off the engine. I’m surprised the engine will start being that the shift interruptor would keep that from happening.
Could be cable adjustment, something loosened up in the throttle/shifter adjustment, or cone clutch wear. What type of throttle/shift arrangement do you have? I’d have a technician check that out as throttle disassembly and reassembly can be tricky.

Any pics?

Let’s get you fixed. And welcome aboard mate!

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Okay, so the previous owner explained it wrong. The "throttle only" button does not work. The boat had neutral and all gears, just can't free rev the boat. Think the button can be fixed or need a new throttle?

mhorn0817 wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 9:08 pm Okay, so the previous owner explained it wrong. The "throttle only" button does not work. The boat had neutral and all gears, just can't free rev the boat. Think the button can be fixed or need a new throttle?

Well sounds like you have to take the sitter apart to see what is going on. Or buy a new shifter assembly.

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Got a pic of the throttle? If it is like ours then there is a button near the base to allow the one piece throttle/shifter to move freely. That lower cam may be frozen or more likely the spring broken.

Again I’d have a marine tech look at it as they can be tricky to reassemble correctly.
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mhorn0817 wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:08 pm 1992 cobalt 255 cc, 7.4 merc.

Boat will not slip into neutral, forward and reverse are fine though. Is this a cable adjustment/replacement issue or something more serious?

I didn't know you could start a boat that wasn't in neutral.

I pick the boat up next weekend. I'm thinking the spring my be broken because it was stuck in and had no tension when I pushed the button. Hopefully I can fix instead of replace.

This is my shifter

mhorn0817 wrote: Fri Sep 17, 2021 9:33 pm I pick the boat up next weekend. I'm thinking the spring my be broken because it was stuck in and had no tension when I pushed the button. Hopefully I can fix instead of replace.

If it was stuck in the "in" position, it would start. If you put it in forward or reversed, engine should rev but propeller should not spin.
You would not be able to operate the boat. Did you have it in the water and were using the boat? If so, like I posted earlier, I don't see how it would start. If you try to fix it yourself, take a picture of each step so you might have less trouble putting it back together.
Right now, I can think of no downside to trying to fix it yourself. Others here will correct that statement if I'm wrong.

It starts, runs, goes in and out of gear. It just won't "free rev" or 'throttle only"

Really why do you need it to free rev anyways?
Is it carburated?
Is not like you have to Rev the engine to show off to the boat next to you?
Nevermind. I read your original post it's a carb.
Ok back to fixing it and our regular scheduled program

mhorn0817 wrote: Sat Sep 18, 2021 5:14 pm This is my shifter

Just noticed that it is Quicksilver, which is after market I believe.

Quicksilver was Mercury's label for their own items, such as engine controls, in what it's great fun to refer to as "the last century"; not sure when they stopped using the term or even if they totally have, but it is indeed the work of the Mercury brand.

Yes it is carburated. I don't need to rev or show off but I would like to fix the issue. I'm sure if I said I didn't want to fix it then it would be a big deal and im sure I'd be told don't own a cobalt.

I'm not sure of it's original or has been replaced. I guess I'll drop it down to see what the issue is.

What is the best/easier way to remove throttle?

cbdo wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 8:49 pm Quicksilver was Mercury's label for their own items, such as engine controls, in what it's great fun to refer to as "the last century"; not sure when they stopped using the term or even if they totally have, but it is indeed the work of the Mercury brand.

Thanks. I did not know that.