Adjusting Idle cable -Urgent!

[um0RION]

First off, ive got a 120hp evinrude VRO motor from 1991, E120TLEIE. I hate that im posting this and being so pressed for time, but Im having some bad problems that need attention before I take my boat out of the area (tomorrow).

Ive got idle problems.. When I speed up, then slow back down, the rpm does not go all the way back down to idle. My mechanic says the throttle cable needs tightening, and I agree. Tightening it would push the throttle further down towards idle.

Here's the issue with that: There's a thumb wheel on the cable that you're supposed to turn, but mine will turn about 3/4 of a turn, then stop dead. There's a clamp holding the cable to the engine block, do I need to undo this before I tighten the cable?

Also, I disconnected the throttle cable, and with it dangling, moved the throttle back as far as it would go, and while it wasnt running, it was in the same position it was in when the cable was hooked up with me pushing the throttle arm to idle. As it was, this seemed WAY too high for an idle speed. It had to be over 1000 rpm. I know it wasnt in water, but it seemed way too high. Is there some other adjustment that lets me idle it further?

This problem seems to be a bit out of my league. Any help? Or is this something I should bring to the mechanic, and NOT take my boat 4 hours away this weekend Once it goes, its staying there until fall, so...

 

[Daviet]

Re: Adjusting Idle cable -Urgent!

Yes, you need to loosen the clamp to adjust the cable.
The idle will be a lot higher when the engine is not in the water, adjust the cable and see if the idle comes down.

 

[boobie]

Re: Adjusting Idle cable -Urgent!

Those good old loopers will idle about a 1000 rpm when on a set of muffs. Once you get them in the water and get some exhaust back pressure with everything else with the sync& link being right they will idle down.

 

[um0RION]

Re: Adjusting Idle cable -Urgent!

Ok thanks for the tips guys, that really took down my anxiety level about this a couple notches. Unfortunately, that isnt my only problem. I also suspect that I have a bent prop shaft (long story, hit a few rocks) so its going to be going to the mechanic for a check up. My father agrees, I shouldnt take a questionable boat 200 miles only to find out somehting critical is wrong with it.

So in regards to the cable adjustment, procedure will be to undo the clamp, make the adjustment, then reclamp, yes?

edit: Ive got a video ill be posting to youtube in a minute here, so I can show exactly what is happening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r97xGtlL6EA

 

[tal]

Re: Adjusting Idle cable -Urgent!

The point of the clamp on the adjustment is to keep it from turning while your engine is running/vibrating. You have to loosen the the clamp to adjust the cable properly, you will see a shape cut into the bracket that it fits into to keep it from adjusting itself underway.

You need to take the slack out of your cable (if it's not stretched). Take the nut off the bracket where the throttle cable is fastened, push the arm back to where it touches the idle stop screw, then adjust your throttle cable to reach the arm. You'll see by making the cable longer/shorter (via adjustment wheel) it'll go where you need it to.

Just so you know, your idle adjustment is on the end of that long tube under the flywheel, where the timing advance rod goes into. Screwing it in will idle the engine down, out will idle it up. You really need to be on the water warmed up, in gear to set it right. Then don't worry about what it idles on the muffs.

More importantly, since your cables are out of whack, you need to synchronize your cables and linkages. Best way to do that is look at a manual since it has steps and pictures to identify parts.

Why do you think you bent your propshaft? Is your prop completely destroyed and any other physical damage to the lower unit? I'd think it hard to bend it. Sometimes they don't look to be turning straight but they are.

 

[um0RION]

Re: Adjusting Idle cable -Urgent!

Why do you think you bent your propshaft? Is your prop completely destroyed and any other physical damage to the lower unit? I'd think it hard to bend it. Sometimes they don't look to be turning straight but they are.

Update: I took the boat to my mechanic, and he said the adjustments and straightening the prop shaft would be under $70 (seemed really cheap?) so there goes that problem.

As for why I think my propshaft is bent, I hit some things HARD. I looked at the shaft while running it in forward idle, and the shaft looked like it had a slight wobble to it. When I took it out that last time and hit things, yes, I OBLITERATED the prop, and yes there were large chunks taken out of the skeg. For damage, the LEAST damaged fin was bent for the last 2-3 inches at a 45 degree angle to what it should have been, the other 3 fins had the ends of them bent so severely that they had sheared off. It was bad. Aluminum thank god, but it still did quite a number on it.