2012 3.0L TKS runs great with muffs, but slow on lake...

nola mike

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I wouldn't mess around with a sticking cable that wont allow it to return to idle. This is especially true for an alpha drive that requires a shift interrupt to get out of gear, and may not work at higher rpm.

Hard to say if the cable needs adjustment or replacement
Normally trying to lube a cable is a losing bet. The throttle cable needs some preload on it to close the throttle completely though. Remove the cable and see if it's smooth. Certainly not related to the low rpm problem though.
 

Bondo

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Normally trying to lube a cable is a losing bet. The throttle cable needs some preload on it to close the throttle completely though. Remove the cable and see if it's smooth. Certainly not related to the low rpm problem though.
Ayuh,..... The throttle cable should be pushin' the throttle linkage, firmly against the idle adjustment screw,....
 

GeorgioP07

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Sep 15, 2025
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Hello I just measured the resistance of the ignition wires / spark plug wires using a digital voltmeter sent to 40K Ohms.
Compared to the wires I replaced these are reading 2.03, and the older wires are 4.07, I believe they are well within spec, showing less resistance.
 

ESGWheel

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@Lou C would you mind reading thru this thread to see what we may be missing? George (the OP) has been great at sticking with the forum and following thru on a ton of items but still stuck. My thoughts are a restricted exhaust that he still needs to investigate but would appreciate yet another set of eyes on this one. Thanks.
 

Lou C

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you have enough fuel pressure, but your low WOT RPM might be a lack of fuel volume....that could be a sticking anti-siphon valve on the tank, or a pick up tube that has crud getting pulled against the screen at the bottom of it. Any inboard I think is going to have an anti siphon valve unless someone removed it, I would think about checking that, because it could be your problem.
think about it like this, to idle and run at low rpm takes relatively little fuel in terms of gallons per hr., but to plane the boat will take between 2-3x as much in terms of gallons per hr.
My boat had this problem when I first bought it back in 2002, a good mechanic found it and after that was fixed it ran well for years. I do think that these parts should be inspected on a regular basis, because it doesn't take much of a restriction and you're having this problem even if everything else is perfect.
 

ESGWheel

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George, I do not recall if you got on the water with the fuel pressure gauge installed and was able to monitor it under load / when it was bogging down. Recall for safety this will take 2 folks, one to drive and one to look at gauge. My concern is that this was only done on the muffs. Thanks.
 
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