1979 thunderbolt 20 hp, won't idle, good comp, good spark

[kunas]

I'm backkk.

still slowly working on the 1979 thunderbolt 20 hp

here's the scoop:

cleaned the carb, took it all the way down, put it back together.
nice good spark, 135 psi on both cylinders
won't stay running
won't idle
only a few putts then dies
will continue to run while spray starting fluid in the intake

any ideas what's going wrong, what to fix?

will a carb rebuild kit help?

I know I need a foot for it, but I'm trying to get this thing running first before i drop $200 on a foot.

thanks

 

[kunas]

Re: 1979 thunderbolt 20 hp, won't idle, good comp, good spark

I'm thinking the throttle linkage connected to the handle is not adjusted correctly.
can any one help on this?

 

[JGra]

Re: 1979 thunderbolt 20 hp, won't idle, good comp, good spark

Ck you fuel pump. Thats what fixed my merc 200 idle problem.

 

[green4themoney]

Re: 1979 thunderbolt 20 hp, won't idle, good comp, good spark

member your idle adjustment screw, screw it in untill it seats then back out 1 to 1 and a half turns

 

[green4themoney]

Re: 1979 thunderbolt 20 hp, won't idle, good comp, good spark

well with a clean carb, try getting a squirt bottle and fil it with some 50:1 mix then spray some right into the barrel of your carb and see if your engine will idle, if it does, its your low speed jet, its either clogged or its closed too much, so make sure that its clean, and adjusted properly hopefully this helps