Hey all, I know I'm probably gonna get some responses like "just toss it and buy a C3", but I like this reel, and when I bought it, this is what I could afford at my local tackle shop.
I have an Ambassaduer SX 6601, couple years old. Been using it for relatively light duty stuff - trolling for stripers and CA halibuts from my kayak, mostly. Although sometimes it has seen some heavy lead, it's not like I am out tuna fishing with it. Works well for what I am using it for - the gear ratio, spool size, drag, etc are great.
The thumb bar free spool button is getting a little wonky - sometimes it won't completely disengage, and sometimes it won't completely re-engage. If I push the bar back up with my thumb, it engages and works fine, but in theory it should do this on it's own, and did for a while. I opened it up, inspected everything, didn't see any obvious failures. Seems like it's gotta be a worn clutch part, right?
Also, is there any parts compatibility between this and the C3/C4 reels? Maybe swapping some of the parts would keep this reel happier for longer. Thanks for any suggestions!
It sounds like it is in bad need of a cleaning and relubing.
I tried that, and I'm still getting the issue. I used Penn grease on the gears and other moving parts, oil on the bearings, and Cals on the drag washers. There was basically no grease in it at all before I took it apart. Admittedly, I hadn't opened it up since I bought it, but I do wash down with fresh water after every trip, and it had only been about 20 trips or so.
Those thumb bars are the weakest link in every abu that has them, C3 or otherwise.
I'm not familiar with that abu, is there a spring? Maybe it's worn and not providing enough tension. I've had that issue before with an old 5500
Quote from: Swami805 on August 06, 2024, 01:33:08 AMI'm not familiar with that abu, is there a spring? Maybe it's worn and not providing enough tension. I've had that issue before with an old 5500
I don't remember exactly what the spring setup was inside, but I will tear it down and check it out. From the behavior, this seems like it could be the problem. Thanks for the suggestion!
I think I have one at my shop, when I get home I will check and see if I can help.
A sticking part number 18 here (https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=hQihgcmq&id=C1617DDC65A252A6093ADAEE3AD26A7180004B79&thid=OIP.hQihgcmqyvEjPZ1RzH3GMgHaEx&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ereplacementparts.com%2fimages%2fabugarcia%2f6601_C4_(15_00)_WW_1.gif&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.8508a181c9aacaf1233d9d51cc7dc632%3frik%3deUsAgHFq0jru2g%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=400&expw=620&q=Abu+Ambassaduer+SX+6601+schematic&simid=608012209951423700&FORM=IRPRST&ck=2E7ED9FC2CAF1A0EF7573BF39055A9F2&selectedIndex=0&itb=0&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0) is often the culprit. Also, a worn part number 19. Also the pins sticking out of the side of the thumb bar. Since you can push the thumb bar up to engage, it sort of sounds more like the thumb bar pins.
I'd first clean it by hosing it down with a can of WD-40 or soaking it in petroleum solvent. Then work the parts until they are more limber and re-oil. If that doesn't work then it might need a complete breakdown.
speedy, where in the bay area are you? i'm gone all this week, but back late sunday and home the rest of the next week. any chance i could take a look? there is a pin that sometimes gets pushed in too far, and sometimes there are burrs that form. knock down and sharp edge and it might start working again. ya' kinda have to stare at it for a while to figure it out. the answer is in there somewhere. send me a pm and maybe we can figure something out. i'm in saratoga.
Hey all, thanks for the suggestions and support! It's gonna be a few days before I have time to tear it down, but I will report back when I do.
Alan, I am in Concord - a bit of a trip to Saratoga. No worries, this reel is one of my back up/loaners, so no rush on getting it fixed. It's gonna be a while before I get out anyway, so plenty of time for me to tinker with it. Thank you very much for your offer!
Gotta say, I am new here, and have received a very warm welcome. Looking back/searching old posts for information, it is very apparent that there are some very kind and generous people on here. Hats off to Alan and others who have built such a great online community!
please keep us posted!