Idle speed for 1992 200 HP Mercury

[jdupree]

I am having a fuel problem which I feel could be the idle set too low. The motor is ideling in "N" about 700 to 800 rpm's. When you put it in gear it drops to 500 to 600 rpms. When you put it in gear it bucks and kicks and will cut off unless you go ahead and get it some gas If you let it sit there and idle out of gear it will eventually cut off.

Is it possible that the idle is set to low and when it idles it just doesn't get the fuel that it needs and that causes it to cut off?

The fuel pump has just been replaced, carbs were done about 3 seasons ago. Other than this issue, the motor runs great! Thanks for the help!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Idle speed for 1992 200 HP Mercury

Assuming carbs are perfect, and mixture isn't an issue, and also that compression is good, and even.

Should idle at 700 or so in gear. Slightly higher out of gear. If the reeds are getting a little rough, maybe slightly higher. If idle has to be so high that it punishes the gears to engage them, it's time for mechanical repairs.

It's not hard to adjust. It's the screw at the bottom of the throttle arm.
While you're at it, adjust the throttle cable tension according to the manual. That assures repeatability of idle speed when the shift lever is centered.

hope it helps
John

 

[achris]

Re: Idle speed for 1992 200 HP Mercury

And if that doesn't help, start looking for air leaks in the bleed hoses....

Chris........

 

[jdupree]

Re: Idle speed for 1992 200 HP Mercury

This is an example of my problem. Went fishing yesterday and on the way back to the boat ramp was running about 4000rpm's for about 20 minutes. Ran great! While I was waiting to load the boat of course now I was at idle. The idle got lower and lower until the motor stalled out. Went back and checked the bulb and it wasn't very tight. Pumped the bulb up and cranked it back up. Same result, idle would come down and down until it just cut off.

I would think that if I had a fuel delivery problem it would show up running 4000rpm's?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Idle speed for 1992 200 HP Mercury

Like Chris said. There's several things that can cause poor idling.

One that is relatively easy to check is the bleed hose system. They are designed to take pooled fuel away from the reed valve and get it into a combustion chamber. Hose routing is critical, there's a check valve on each one that must function, and of course hoses must not be leaking.

If there's an air leak at the reed plate, or carb bases, it can cause this sort of problem.

Reeds are not likely the problem. They either act badly all the time, or they're OK. Usually a 1 or 2 cylinder heavy idle miss.

The primer bulb will not stay hard when running. You're sucking fuel through it. Soft is normal. Caved in flat is not.

If, when it's acting up you can squeeze the primer bulb, and it straightens out, then you do, indeed, have a fuel pump or supply hose problem.

hope it helps
John

 

[Jsalinas42]

I’m curious if you ever found the problem? My 92 Merc 200hp is doing the same thing.

 

[GA_Boater]

I’m curious if you ever found the problem? My 92 Merc 200hp is doing the same thing.

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