High Idle

[Typhoon]

I have a 1993 Evinrude 150 horse that idles in gear, trimmed as low as possible at 1100-1200 rpm. In neutral it idles at 1400-1500 rpm trimmed low in the water. Out of the water on the hose it idles at 2500 rpm. I took the readings with a Craftsman engine analyzer. I bought the boat about 2 month's ago, at that time it didn't seem to idle as high. I injected OMC tuner & changed the plugs, after that it seemed to idle high. When I first injected the tuner I thought the red knob had to be turned, when I stopped injecting & saw fuel coming back-up the hose, I immediately turned the knob back down. Then I finished the injecting with the knob down in run position & changed the plugs. After restarting the motor it seemed to idle high. So I called Evinrude, they told me to take a pencil & with the eraser end push on each of the butterflies to make sure they are all moving at the same time & they are. Well, then I made sure the plugs I used are the right ones & they are (Champion QL78YC @ .030). So I go to the boat store & they tell me to try & gap the plugs @ .040, this didn't help the idle but seemed to make the engine start easier so I left them. Well, I can't do anymore so I take it to a shop & they say they have to order some linkage. I take it back to them so they can install the new piece of linkage & the piece is wrong (so they tell me), but he turned it down as low as he could. Well, he didn't charge me anything because he didn't turn it down at all. I call Evinrude again, after I take the in water RPM readings, & they say maybe the vapor pump hose is in the way of the linkage. I'm going to look at that tonight, but I don't think it is the problem because the butterflies are closed. Any advice or if anyone knows of a good shop in the Detroit, MI area would be helpful. <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Jim

 

[Dhadley]

Re: High Idle

Did the mechanic think it might be stuck in Quick Start? Did you disconnect the linkage before you pushed on the butterflies?<br /><br />Just a thought.

 

[R. Wood]

Re: High Idle

Try Lockemans Hardware and Boat (S. Detroit), best source for local info, no BS. <br /><br />I bug 'em constantly for info.<br /><br />www.lockemans.com<br /><br />R.

 

[Typhoon]

Re: High Idle

Dhadley - The mechanic said that he had to replace a camlobe piece of linkage. I think that when he looked at the part that came in & then looked at my motor he realized that mine was not broken. He told me to take it to a place that has a Dyno? I don't think he has the equipment to sync & link the carbs. What do you mean by quick start, is there a way to disconnect or check it? No, I did not disconnect the linkage, was I supposed to?<br /><br />R. Wood - Thanks for the info, I'll call them today. I have an appointment at Prop & Sail for tomorrow. Have you heard anything good or bad about them?

 

[Typhoon]

Re: High Idle

^Bump^

 

[Solittle]

Re: High Idle

Suggest you try and get ahold of the manual for your engine and check the procedure for linkage adjustments. The OMC manuals are pretty good, have photos and parts explosions. Don't know your 150 but my OMC SeaDrives have one screw to set the idle.

 

[Sand Bass]

Re: High Idle

Hey Typhoon,<br />I just had the exact same problem with my 1994 Evinrude 225. Throttle plates were slightly open. You could not tell by looking or pushing on them. All throttle plates must be COMPLETELY closed. I would get a manual and do a link and sync. You have to loosen linkage to make sure throttle plates are completely closed. It is easy to do and the manual will walk you through the steps. Also, idle speed timing should be set at 5-7 degrees ATDC. Surely the dealer has already done this?

 

[Typhoon]

Re: High Idle

I went to Lockemans yesterday & this is what he told me to do. #1 Make sure the throttle linkage is against the stop & it is. #2 Make sure the timing return spring is doing it's job & it is. #3 Take the black/white wire from the sensor for the high idle cold start sensor & ground it, it didn't do a thing. What's next, I don't know probably a sync & link. So, I'm making an appointment with Lockemans today because I had to cancel with Prop & Sail (**** work is getting in the way) plus Lockemans gave me all of this free info.<br /><br />Sand Bass - Which manual do you have & how do you like it?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: High Idle

When you took apart the connection at the sender did you ground the wire from the sender or the wire to it?<br /><br />Hummm.......

 

[Typhoon]

Re: High Idle

Actually I did both, I thought he said from the sender so I put this wire to a bolt on the head & directly to the ground on the starter. I also took the wire to it to the head bolt only.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: High Idle

If the idle didnt change it may be stuck in Quick Start. When you first fire the motor, in the water, it should come up to about 1200 RPM. As the motor warms up it will slow down just like your auto. As long as the thermostats are in and working properly it should work this way. Just be careful not to shift it when its still in Quick Start mode.<br /><br />The tech you talked to will figure it out. sounds like hes got a good idea of whats going on.<br /><br />Let us know!!

 

[Typhoon]

Re: High Idle

Thanks for your help Dhadley, you the man!!!

 

[R. Wood]

Re: High Idle

Prop and Sail carries a good inventory of parts, level of support varies.......

 

[Typhoon]

Re: High Idle

Well, I got my boat back from Lockemans yesterday & the verdict was that the timing was all out of whack. So they set the timing & did a sync & link at a very reasonable price. <br /><br />I want to say thanks to everyone that helped me with this & especially R. Wood for the shop recommendation.

 

[R. Wood]

Re: High Idle

Glad to hear it!!!<br /><br />I've always gotten top notch support from the folks @ Lokemans!! They know their stuff!!!<br /><br />R.