New boat, new problems

[DrWiffel]

Just bought a new (to me) 79 Starcraft with a 79-70hp Merc.. Got the boat at a good price and in pretty good shape for it?s age. For the most part the engine runs great. The only problem that I?m having is that it doesn?t really like to idle in neutral without a little throttle on the warm up lever. Some of the time it will idle for a little, but it doesn?t like to do it for long. I?m guessing that it could be time to do a carb job on it and that would clear it up, but I?d like to take the easy way out (if that?s possible) and maybe just use some seafoam or some other carb cleaning fuel additive to clean it out. I have read some horror stories of the cleaner doing too good of a job and causing other problems sending the carbon to other areas gumming things up. Should I use the additive, or just pull the carbs and clean them out? Or could this be a different problem that maybe I?m not considering?

Thanks,

 

[usskydvr]

Re: New boat, new problems

You may want to adjust the idle screws first. Only 1/8 turn at a time

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: New boat, new problems

I thought about doing that. I will give that a try and see how it goes. Do you know if that would be a 1/8 turn out or in?

 

[usskydvr]

Re: New boat, new problems

Probably out (richer), but could just as easily be in (leaner)

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: New boat, new problems

The plugs did seem a bit dirty (running rich), but that could have been caused from idling for too long. I'll fiddle with it when I take it out next. Do you know where I might find an online manual for the motor? I've seen a few links for manuals on here. But can't remember where I found them?

Thanks again,

 

[usskydvr]

Re: New boat, new problems

Sorry. No ideas on the online Manuals