no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

whitt17

Cadet
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
7
Im new to the boating scene. I just bought a 1976 starcraft with a 1976 Johnson 55 hp. Ive been having problems with the idle and it stalling when putting it into gear. The motor runs excelent at full throttle but when I idle it down to troll it will again stall out. Any suggestions?
 

CATransplant

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Feb 26, 2005
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Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Dirty carburetor is the most likely cause. Soak, blow, and kit.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

agree time to clean and reassemble with a rebuild kit. especially if the engine sat for a while, impeller is advisable also.
 

Quick-man

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Jul 25, 2005
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Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Do you know if the carbs were ever cleaned, how long the engine sat, was it winterized properly, was fuel stabilizer added? I agree with CATransplant it sounds like dirty carbs. You can soak them in carb cleaner or you can get someinthing called Chem Dip from AutoZone or the like. It has a basket for all your parts. When you soak the carbs make sure you take out all gaskets, plastic pieces and orifices. You will need to make a special tool that will fit into the opening to unscrew the orifice. Once you do this put each high speed, low speed and mid speed (if you have all of these) in zip lock bags that are labeled so you don't mix them up. Soak each orific separately so you don't mix them up. Use a can of carb cleaner to clean out all the passages and then if you have a small compressor blow out the passages. Don't forget to take the seat out of the float valve as well. You can usually do this with a blast of air from am compressor.
 

Quick-man

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Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

BTW here is that special tool you will need. I made mine from a cut off phillips screwdriver and used a grinding wheel to get it to the right size. Make sure you use a screwdriver that just fits into the opening this way the blade of the special tool will fit the entire span of the orifice.

Special Tool:
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s311/frankr_photos/FixedJetScrewdriver2.jpg?t=1177353186
 

BoatBuoy

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May 29, 2004
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Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Don't forget to take the seat out of the float valve as well. You can usually do this with a blast of air from am compressor.

Now I'm confused. I've never seen a needle valve seat that had to be removed with an air compressor. All I've ever seen unscrew.
 

whitt17

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Jun 10, 2007
Messages
7
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Hey thanks a lot fellas for all the information. I was kinda thinking that was going to be my next move. Im pretty decent with small engines but never touched a boat motor. If I buy a carb kit do you think this is something I could tackle myself. Do the kits come with good directions
 

BoatBuoy

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May 29, 2004
Messages
4,856
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Kits come with few or no directions. They're about as simple as a lawnmower carburetor. They have no accelerator pump to worry with, like auto carbs do. You do need to drill small, shallow hole in the one or two soft plugs that cover some of the passages. The flip them out with an ice pick. Kit comes with new plugs. Just put them in, rounded side up, and tap them flat.
 

whitt17

Cadet
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
7
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

How much do you think a outboard shop would charge to slap a carb kit in If I already had the rebuild kit. Or do you think I can pull it off myself.
 

BoatBuoy

Rear Admiral
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4,856
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Not knowing your skill level, I can't answer that. But if you can take it apart, just put it back together the same way. Rebuild kits are just new needle and seat, new gaskets, and new soft plugs. It's not a carb off a space shuttle. Just be sure everything is clean, especially the passages.

The most difficult part is just getting it off.
 

whitt17

Cadet
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
7
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Thanks alot for the info. Im going to order a kit right now. I will let you know how I did. Once again thanks alot.
 

Quick-man

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jul 25, 2005
Messages
77
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

Now I'm confused. I've never seen a needle valve seat that had to be removed with an air compressor. All I've ever seen unscrew.

You are absolutley right, I just got done rebulding a lawn mower and I got my carbs mixed up. They do unscrew, that is why it is so eay to rebuild. Sorry for the wrong information, didn't mean to confuse the issue.

Carbs are easy to rebuild, once you have the carb rebuilt the last thing to do is make sure the float is parallel with the carb body. You do this by adjusting the tab on the float.
 

whitt17

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Jun 10, 2007
Messages
7
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

I ordered the kits today we will see how it goes. Thanks again fellas.
 

whitt17

Cadet
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
7
Re: no idle w/out help stalls when dropped in gear =

I put the carb kits in and it would not run unless I choked it so I backed the idle screws out a 1/8 turn for a total of 1 and a 1/8 turns out and it runs perfect. I have not had it on the water yet but it runs great on the muffs so hopfuly I will just have to play with the idle a bit on the water and should be good to go. Once again thanks for the advice everyone.
 
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