1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

[clent586]

I have searched this problem and can't find in the archives. I have just acquired this engine and don't know alot about it. When cold starting, the choke is engaged and the throttle is up. Cranks and runs. When I try and idle down and place into gear (forward or reverse) it will stall. The fellow I purchased the boat from had been leaving the engine idled at a medium rate and then placed it in gear (did not think this was good). It will do this until warm and then operates well. Should I start looking at the carbs? Could it be a linkage issue? I am ignorant in the outboard mechanics food chain but willing to learn all I can. Any help would be appreciated greatly.

 

[99yam40]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

Get your hands on a Yamaha service manual for your motor and go through the carbs and everything else that you are not sure has been done lately as far as regular maintenance goes.

They are great motors and run a long time as long as you maintain them.
It is best to let them warm up before putting in gear and running hard.

 

[clent586]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

Thanks for responding. That is definetely my plan. I changed the fuel out and took it by the lake today. Ran pretty decent after warming up and went into gear only stalling twice. Ran it good for about 30 minutes then it started to cut out. Limped back to the landing and it backfired once or twice while getting her loaded. I am going to start on the carbs sometime this week. Thanks again. Clent

 

[clent586]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

I know this is an old post but had a questions. I took everyones advise, got a manual and dug in. I have since rebuilt the carbs and replaced fuel pump and tank to motor gas line and new primer bulb. Also replaced metal tank with plactic tank. Took the boat out yesterday and would not idle without the manual throttle being opened a significant amount. I backed off the pilot screws close to a full turn and she was purring. Took it out for about 45 minutes and she ran great. Very rewarding doing this work myself! My question is, I set the pilot screws per Seloc manual at 1 5/8 turns from lightly seated and it ran like crap but ran good with the additional turns out (approx. 2 1/2 turns total from seat)? Is this normal to be this far from recommended turns or am I compensating for another problem? Next week I am changing out the impellar. Any comments are very welcomed. Thanks, Clent

 

[99yam40]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

I know this is an old post but had a questions. I took everyones advise, got a manual and dug in. I have since rebuilt the carbs and replaced fuel pump and tank to motor gas line and new primer bulb. Also replaced metal tank with plactic tank. Took the boat out yesterday and would not idle without the manual throttle being opened a significant amount. I backed off the pilot screws close to a full turn and she was purring. Took it out for about 45 minutes and she ran great. Very rewarding doing this work myself! My question is, I set the pilot screws per Seloc manual at 1 5/8 turns from lightly seated and it ran like crap but ran good with the additional turns out (approx. 2 1/2 turns total from seat)? Is this normal to be this far from recommended turns or am I compensating for another problem? Next week I am changing out the impellar. Any comments are very welcomed. Thanks, Clent

Sounds like you still have some plugging in the pilot jets/ passages. May have to go through them again just to make sure.
Did you do the link and sync as the manual says after you put the carbs back on?
Have you checked the compression, and spark on all cylinders to make sure all is good? Also check the timing, I found mine of about 7 degrees and had to change the CDI , caused idle problems.

 

[clent586]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

Did you do the link and sync as the manual says after you put the carbs back on?
Have you checked the compression, and spark on all cylinders to make sure all is good? Also check the timing, I found mine of about 7 degrees and had to change the CDI , caused idle problems.

I don't have a compression tester but I am borrowing one. As far as the link and sync.....I don't want to ask stupid questions but do I do a static and dynamic or just a dynamic? When doing the static, what position does the throttle need to be in? My manual does not specify. I am assuming for the dynamic test it will be in neutral. I am willing but having a slow time figuring out the timing and electrical components of this project. Thanks

 

[99yam40]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

You might get some info from this thread but not sure since your motor is a lot older
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=366637

 

[clent586]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

Just wanted to say thanks to all who have been helping me along. The things I have done since starting this thread:
*Re-Build on all carbs
*New fuel pump
*Link and sync
*New fuel lines/primer bulb, etc...
*Replaced stock fuel filter (due to some warpage on the bowl) with a glass inline filter
*Re-Bulid on water pump (old impellar had a fin corner broken and it is amazing how much more flow I have now)

When putting lower unit back on, it some how was in forward gear and in neutral the prop was turning.... so adjusting the rod and linkage, we are good now!

When I obtained the boat, it would not go into gear without shutting off, it ran like crap after about 30 minutes or so once you got her going and topped out at about 21 mph on GPS. With the work completed, she now runs smooth at about 29.3 mph consistently. This has been very rewarding and I could not have done it without everyones help, especially 99yam40. All parts came from iboats parts to support the site as well. Thanks again and I know I will have more questions in the future

 

[mattfromohio]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

im doing the same thing with my 40 ELN, just got it a month or so ago. new fuel system, rebuild carbs. went back threw and unclogged the main nozzle, it ran and idled good before the rebuild on two cylinders, after the carb rebuild it back fires a little bit and since it had been sitting since 1998 i mixed the fuel in the tank 50-1 but didnt notice but used a non marine oil so i added a little marine oil to it , i think it may be a bit rich now and foulling the plugs so tommorrow i am adding gas and cleaning the plugs

 

[mattfromohio]

Re: 1984 40ELN high idle/shifting problem

fixed the mixture and ajusted the idle to specs or close runs great now. goes into drive and reverse no problem sounds awsome, it will run on just one cylinder but only start on the top cylinder by itself wont stat on the bottom at all will start on the middle if i give a little throttle, why is this?