Thread: Shifter control maybe not the problem

By the way it's a 2000 225efi !

I'd disconnect the shift cable at the motor, then keeping the boat on the trailer, back it in the water and see if it shifts gears properly without the shift cable connected. If it does, maybe the shift cable is coming apart in it's housing. Re-reading your post, could there be heavy old grease in the shifter housing inside the motor cover? Perhaps when it's cold it's stopping the shifter from going all the way into reverse. Once you warm the motor up, maybe the grease softens and allows it to shift properly. Not sure what your set up looks like under the hood. My Merc 90HP 4 stroke had a trough that the shift mechanism slid in with white grease. That stuff gets hard after time.