How to adjust the idle on 1994 135 hp black max V6

[kramerpage]

How do I adjust the idle on 1994 135 hp black max V6. My tach says 1000 in neutral. I need to get it down to 700 - 800. 1000 seems hard on the lower unit to me. Thank you

 

[Chris1956]

You lower the idle speed by backing off the idle stop screw on the throttle arm, and adjusting the throttle cable to push the throttle closed in neutral. Make sure you only adjust the "Idle Stop" screw, or the timing will be affected. It should be just above where the throttle cable attaches.

 

[kramerpage]

Spot on Chris. Worked great. The cable adjustment was what I was missing. It would not advance the stop bolt to its detent. Thanks so much. I have the shop manual and couldn't figure it out. lol

 

[Dukedog]

oem or after market manual?

sorry chris, but ya got it totally wrong... its done with idle timing screw.. tha merc carbs have an "idle circuit" that it runs on.. throttle cable/stop screws should not be used for idle speed ... this is straight outta tha book..

IDLE SPEED ADJUSTMENT
1. With engine in water, connect fuel line to engine. Start engine and allow to warm up.
2. Place outboard in gear and monitor engine RPM. If RPM is above or below recommended RPM (see specifications), readjust primary pickup (a) screw to attain recommended engine speed. Retighten jam nut.
a
CAUTION
Engine idle RPM must NEVER EXCEED 750 RPM

this is done after a link and sync is done and/or confirmed to be in tact.. if idle was all good then it changed ya got something amiss and will need ta be tracked down.....

 

[Chris1956]

yes, but the throttle cable still needs to be adjusted to push the throttle against the stop. The book is a bit vague on that point.

 

[Dukedog]

makes no difference how ya read it... only thing thats mechanically adjusted for idle speed/rpm is idle timin' screw.. those motors have an idle circuit and need absolutely nothin' else adjusted as for as anything with linkage and/or stops...... if ya have ta move anything mechanical other than timin' screw then its got a problem....

 

[kramerpage]

Interesting. I backed out the lower stop 3/4 turn and adjusted cable so it hit the detent. Idle went down. A new issue is that it wont restart in neutral 12oclock. You have to advance to11 o'clock to start then it will idle in 12oclock position.
So this new issue could be from the adjustments I made? Before it started turn of the key.

 

[kramerpage]

Here is what I found in manual.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, if you adjusted the throttle cable barrel nut to push the throttle arm to the stop, the neutral start switch should not have been affected.

 

[kramerpage]

Gee, if you adjusted the throttle cable barrel nut to push the throttle arm to the stop, the neutral start switch should not have been affected.

Oh it will crank. Just will not fire unless you advance throttle. I'm going to put it back where it was and adjust per the manual sequence you posted.

 

[kramerpage]

Got the idle adjusted in the water tied up to the dock. Adjusted cable stop and then went to the idle timing screw. Bother engines now are perfect. Thanks for your help dukedog. These are my first outboards. I'm an Iowa guy for 35 years.