sticking throttle

[Spare_Time]

Hi Folks! Im a newbie. New to the boating world but not so new to mechanical toys

The boat I got is a Stingray with a 470 mercruiser and Alpha one outdrive. The boat hasn't been in the water yet this season and my maiden voyage is this saturday (at least that's my goal). I finally got the motor fired up yesterday but noticed that when I bring the throttle stick (unfamiliar with the terminology, i do apologize) back to neutral, my engine maintains a high rpm of say 1500. If i go tap the carb linkage, she idles right down to 800rpm. someone I don't see how this can be a good thing when im out on the water.

Any ideas on where to start? Could this be a choke issue? I don't think it is as it feels to me like its a cable problem of some sort.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: sticking throttle

IT sounds like a sticky shift thingie(throttle control) or a cable is gummed up.
Start by spraying WD -40 on all exposed linkage at carb then the throttle.
If this won't help then unhook the linkage at the carb and start it if it works then your cable probbably needs lube or replaced.Once you need to work on them it's best to replace as they can stick and cause an accident. Jerry

 

[Don S]

Re: sticking throttle

The throttle cable (at the engine mount) should be adjusted so it puts a small amount of preload on the throttle linkage to the idle position when brought back to idle. There is an adjustment barrel on the threaded section of the cable where you adjust it.