cant advance throttle in neutral

[dentra]

I have a 1988 force 125 outboard on a 19 ft. Bayliner capri. my problem is when I try to put the engine in neutral by pulling out on the control lever, so I can rev the engine in neutral. even with the control arm out the throttle is still locked and I cant rev the motor. It seems to me that the tower shaft arm is still touching the neutral stop arm. does anyone know why they are still touching even with the control pulled out?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: cant advance throttle in neutral

Are you the original owner? And is this a recent problem or has it been on-going since you got the engine?

Reason is: If another person has attempted to raise the idle to correct bad idling or stalling due to improper mixture, timing, or fouled plugs---Then the idle stop screw may be too far in, raising the idle, but taking out all the clearance in the system. When in neutralat regular idle position, there should be about 1/8 inch clearance between the tower cam and the shift stop that it contacts in the cold start, fast idle position. If the screw is sticking out of the arm more than oh, say, 1/2 -3/4 inch, or if the head of the screw is up against the lock-nut, then it is in too far. You need to start at the beginning and reset and synchronize the carb and ignition linkage. Get a Clymers manual or look up other posts on synchronizing carbs and setting mixture. It is not difficult; It just takes some time and you need to work logically and methodically.

 

[JB]

Re: cant advance throttle in neutral

That's your guardian angel taking care of you, Dentra. Revving a 2 stroke with no load is an invitation to disaster.

You should be able to get her to maybe 1500-2000rpm, but no further. There may be an adjustment available on the neutral stop in the engine.

 

[dentra]

Re: cant advance throttle in neutral

Are you the original owner? And is this a recent problem or has it been on-going since you got the engine?

Reason is: If another person has attempted to raise the idle to correct bad idling or stalling due to improper mixture, timing, or fouled plugs---Then the idle stop screw may be too far in, raising the idle, but taking out all the clearance in the system. When in neutralat regular idle position, there should be about 1/8 inch clearance between the tower cam and the shift stop that it contacts in the cold start, fast idle position. If the screw is sticking out of the arm more than oh, say, 1/2 -3/4 inch, or if the head of the screw is up against the lock-nut, then it is in too far. You need to start at the beginning and reset and synchronize the carb and ignition linkage. Get a Clymers manual or look up other posts on synchronizing carbs and setting mixture. It is not difficult; It just takes some time and you need to work logically and methodically.

Frank,
Thanks for the advise! You were right on the head of the screw was right against the lock nut, thus, not allowing me to get anything out of the throttle. This was an existing problem since I just got the boat this summer. I allready had a manual so I re-syncronized all the linkage and all is good. Again, thanks for the info!!
Dennis