ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

[guyjusthere]

2000 2bbl thunderbolt V 4.3L V6

Ran our of gas and waited 2 weeks to refill.
then
Boat will not idle at all.
opened and cleaned carb.
Same

I think it is a problem with my auto choke and idle mix

Choke plate never moves and is ALWAYS open. Also, choke housing gets very hot when I run. engine dies as soon as i stop throttling...

Picture of engine OFF or running at 1500 rpm. (choke Plate ALWAYS open, even when off) Can't start or idle unless throttling

SOO. I unplugged the auto choke and over adjusted; so it will almost close when off.

I was able to idle around 900rpm. When i turn off motor; the choke plate closes...

This is a pic of me running at 900ish rpm. BUT, The idle screw is not touching the idle cam even though im at neutral. (i can push on the throttle cable to reduce rpm, but that is not the home.)

I think i just need to replace my auto choke and find the right idle mix?

Here is where i blindly set it:

Here is is out of the carb:

Crappy pic just showing my auto choke when motor is off. (before I over adjusted.)

Why can't I get the rpm under 900 rpm when idle screw isn't touching?
Is the choke plate being partially closed causing the high rpm?
Am i completely looking in the wrong place, and the choke plate should always be open?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

The boat ran out of gas, re-filled after two weeks and won't idle. About right? Was the boat running good before running out off gas? Have you changed the fuel filter? Could have pulled grunge out of the tank by running out.

On the choke - to set the choke you have to advance the throttle and pull it back to neutral. The choke plate will be open until you do the previous. The housing does get very warm or hot because of the heater inside to heat the bi-metallic spring which opens the choke.

 

[alldodge]

Re: ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

When the choke plate closes there is a cam which speeds up the idle, your idle screw will not necessarily touch. Open the choke up and you will idle down. It's better to have the choke plate wide open then partially closed. Choke has a heater in it to warm it up so it will open sooner, it's doing what it should do.

You probably sucked up some crud and it's in the carb. Need to clean it again and the crud is in the idle passages, hence why you can hardly keep it running at idle.

 

[guyjusthere]

Re: ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

I will clean it again. Focus on idle mix path?

I changed the fuel filter a week before this happened. Maybe it is messed up again, but i run very well beyond idle.

YEs it was running great before this happened.

Thanks for the ideas
grr

 

[thumpar]

Re: ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

You probably picked up junk from the tank like AllDodge stated. To really clean the carb you will need to take it apart. Since you will have it apart you could throw in a rebuild kit just for good measure.

 

[Bondo]

Re: ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

You probably picked up junk from the tank like AllDodge stated. To really clean the carb you will need to take it apart. Since you will have it apart you could throw in a rebuild kit just for good measure.

Ayuh,.... Exactly,.... Pullin' the top off, 'n lookin' in,... Ain't Cleanin' it,....

Do a full on carb Rebuild,...

 

[guyjusthere]

Re: ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

I pulled it out and took it apart. Cleaned all parts with spray.

I may not know exactly where to focus the cleaning. Is there any other part to pull other than the idle mix screw? All i can really do is spray in there after pulling it...

 

[Fastatv]

Re: ran out of gas. now I can't idle. at all.

I pulled it out and took it apart. Cleaned all parts with spray.

I may not know exactly where to focus the cleaning. Is there any other part to pull other than the idle mix screw? All i can really do is spray in there after pulling it...

What the other guys are saying is to completely disassemble the carb, soak it in carb cleaner, blow out all air and fuel passages, reassemble with a new carb kit. Its really the only way to do it correctly.....and hopefully, only do it "one" time. Your Mercarb really doesn't have that many parts, in my opinion, as I have dealt with much worse. Just remember, no rubber parts from the carb can go into the cleaner, including the float valve ( which will come new in the kit ). Also, there is a resistance measurement that can be used to verify if the choke stat is good....or bad. Might want to check it before spending the bucks on a new replacement.