Setting up to idle long periods of time.

[v12mac]

I have an 86 225hp (VRO disconnected) that I need to set up to idle for long periods of time. I may be moving further up the bay and my idle speed / no wake zone time may be as long as 45 min before I can hit the gas. Depending on what the city council recommends on extending the no wake zones. On the way home we are looking at 45 min back to the dock. So on a round trip I’ll have a lot of 1000-1500 rpm time.<br /><br />What should I do to keep this thing from fowling plugs or loading up with crud? <br /><br /><br />Mac

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

i dont think 45 mins will hurt it, unless you do it EVERY day.<br /><br />run good clean oil and good clean gas.<br /><br />ive idled for 6 hours all day with a 6 cylinder 115merc, and had NO problems whatso ever.<br /><br />if you KNOW ahaed of time youll be idleing that long, bring a spare , portable gas tank and pre mix it at 80:1, as thats usually what the VRO mixes at idle

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

If the motor is running properly now it shouldnt matter.<br /><br />In these extended zones I really dont worry about the motor too much. What about the people sitting around in 100+ degrees in the summer? Make sure they're taken care of. We're killing ourselves for an animal that doesnt belong here anyway.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

Whoa!! A properly tuned engine shouldn't carbon up or show any ill effects from idling.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

Use a full synthetic oil and at the least you will have less smoke. I think you would be happier all the way around.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

Middleground is right on here. I idle a lot with mine and took their advice and gaped at 40 instead of 30 and haven't fouled a plug all summer. And striper season is upon us so more ideling I will go.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

Offshore fishing boats idle trolling for hours at a time and do not foul plugs if the motor is in good shape.<br /><br />Make sure the thermostats are warming up the cylinder heads to around 140 degrees. Have the carbs synched and linked correctly and test the recirculation valves for proper operation. Also blow out the hoses and crankcase fittings for the recirculation system. Remove the check valve in the hose between the upper and lower main bearing and test the operation.<br /><br />The Evinrude FICHT Ram oil, now called XD 50, cuts down on smoke and does a great job of cleaning carbon.<br /><br />Make sure the engine is propped in the top of the range, about 6000 rpm, to avoid overloading the motor at low speeds. Idle with the motor slightly trimmed up to allow the recirculation system to operate better.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

OK I'll bump the gap to .40 and look into the prop setup. I have a Stainless that tacks around 5800 and my back up is aluminum that only tacks 5000. One thing, I don’t think this motor has its t-stats anymore. I get water out the exhaust relief ports if the engine is hot or cold. Additionally it is nice and shallow back here so I am going to be in the mud quite a bit. Thoughts?<br /><br />Mac

 

[v12mac]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

Oh ya, going to need a T-top to keep from bursting in to flames in the FL sun.<br />Mac

 

[fireman57]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

Need a sweatshirt and jacket here today sauger fishing to keep my nipples pliable.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

Ya have to love this time of year in FL. Just got back from a sunset cruse, perfect shorts and t-shirt weather. <br /><br />MJ

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

With that long idle I'd put thermostats back in it, when you can swing it.

 

[v12mac]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

I don't have them. Previous owner must of chucked em'. Is is it worth buying a set? <br />Mac

 

[tvpear12]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

screw a t-stat. Its the main cause of engine overheat. deal with the idle a little rough and leave the stats out. just my 2 cents. my 90 horse will run 140 deg at wide open throttle with no stats. just right said momma bear.

 

[stsmith]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

May I assume that the thermostat in an outboard is set up like a car engine, with a housing cage and a valve in the center? If this is the case, would it not be better to just remove the valve and leave the housing cage (which acts like a restrictor)in the engine to slow the water down.<br /><br />Smitty

 

[tvpear12]

Re: Setting up to idle long periods of time.

well with a car it will run hot with out a stat because the water will not stay in the radiator long enough to cool the water down. with a out board the lake is 1 giant radiator with cool water at all times. every one on this site will tell you to run stats and maybe they are all right, but i have found them to be dangerous to the engine. the small openings in the stats will often get clogged and then you run hot. caboom goes the engine.then you have to deal with the possibility that they will just go bad, again caboom goes the engine.it is said that running with no stat will promote coking [carbon build up] my oppinion is it might at low speeds long time idling periods, but my engine runs at 140 degrees at wide open throttle which is only 3 degrees off of what the stat calibration is 143degrees. so my theary is as long as you run your boat as it was designed for which we all know the no 2 stroke was entended to run at idle speed for very long you will be all right with no stats. I will bet you will never have a over heat horn go off if you replace your water pump every year or two. people do idle these 2 strokes for long periods of time and all seems fine but they were not intended for that, ask your dealer and they will tell you the same story.want to idle for a long time buy a 4 stroke. just my 2 cents.your engines water pump will produce enough preasure to fill the heads with out the restriction of these dangerous stats.It might cause a cold nature sitiation but on my engine its not bad enough to chance these stats. I put new stats and pump in my v-4 and the temp was at 165 degrees to 170. not good.