Idle problem 1150 IL6

[pfoley]

Hi People! I have a 1978 IL6 1150. I finally got all the electrical issues worked out and put the boat (16' Avenger) in the water for the first time yesterday. Wow!! The engine started great and screamed at WOT. It was was way faster than I had imagined, and ran beautifully.<br /><br />The problem I did have was at the dock. At idle, the engine is barely running and when I gently slide it in gear, it dies. If I jam the throttle from neutral into gear, it takes off. Idle while in gear is good too. I think the idle just needs to be turned up a little, but I don't have a repair manual yet, and even if I did I'd be scared to mess with those carbs (yikes!). Is there a way to up the idle a little without adjusting the carbs? Can I adjust it with the cables somehow? Also, it starts and runs great using the fast idle. The contoller I have doesn't have a seperate fast idle lever by the way. It is integrated into the shifter with a little button.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

Look on the plate in front of the dist. and in the lower right corner faceing the engine ther should be a screw that says idle screw turn it in to speed up the idle.

 

[pfoley]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

Could it really be that easy? There's a plate near the distributor that says "idle"?? I will take a look tonight when I get home and see if I can find it. I did find the distributor yesterday!<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[pfoley]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

Okay, I found the plate, thank you. On the plate there are three adjustment screws. Near the top of the plate there is a screw labeled "Throttle Stop". Lower on the plate to the left is a screw labeled "Spark Advance". To the right of that is a screw labeled "Idle Stop". If I read your response (Laddies) correctly, you're saying to adjust the lower right screw "Idle Stop" to adjust the idle. I'm no expert but it looks like the "Idle Stop" screw and the "Spark Advance" screw are resting on the distributor, and if I turn one it will change the timing. I can't really see what the "Throttle Stop" screw is pushing.<br /><br />I'm scared to mess with the timing at this point. Are you sure about the screw? Your thoughts are appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[Laddies]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

The idle speed is set by retarding or advancing the timing, just don't move the spark advance screw as it controls max. spark advance

 

[pfoley]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

I thought to bring up the idle we would simply need to give it a little more fuel. Wrong again?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

A outboard runs with the throttle butterflies closed till the engine get a little off idle (primary pickup an then opens slightly and runs on throttle and spark advance, till secondary pickup opens the butterflies all the way) with the engine off have someone advance the throttle slowly while you watch and you will have a better understanding of how it works

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

Exactly... the advance has as much (more) to do with all low speed operation as the throttle plates in the carbs.<br /><br />-W

 

[pfoley]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

Thank you both! I'm beginning to get it. What is the purpose of the other two adjustments, "throttle stop" and "spark advance"?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

pfoley, Throttle Stop stops the carbs from opening further than wide open, to protect them from damage. Spark Advance stops the mechanical spark advance from going past the recommended spark advance (usually 21 degrees BTDC). <br /><br />BTW, I have a '77 150HP Merc on my 1974 16' Avenger Mach I. I can cruise at 50MPH, and WOT is 60+MPH(that's downhill, with the wind).

 

[pfoley]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

Thanks for the reply Chris1956!! It sounds like I shouldn't be messing with the other two adjustment screws!! Everyone will be please to know that I have ordered a manual for the motor to reduce the number of silly questions I will be asking.<br /><br />Chris, I'd love to see a picture of the Avenger. I haven't been able to find any info on these boats anywhere.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

pfoley, I do not have a digital camera, however, think surfboard with a steering wheel and outboard on it. <br />Avenger was made by the Cee Bee Manufacturing company in Ca. If you look on the "Blue Book" site, they have the models, years and values listed.

 

[jheron]

Re: Idle problem 1150 IL6

Also look here to get her set up... <br />Jon