J120TLEND Can't slow down the idle. Tried everything in manual

Hi, I have a J120tlend 92 Johnson 120. Recently the idle in gear has shot up to about 1100-1200 RPM so I have a hard time getting it back out of gear without shutting off the engine. Today, I used the clymers manual and set up the timing, pickup adjustment, idle timing etc. but it is still idling well over 1000 rpm. It is supposed to be up to 750 rpm in gear. I sprayed carb cleaner around the carb intake to check for air leaks but still could not find anything. Any ideas out there? I hope I don't have to rebuild 4 carbs. If I do, how tough a job is it. Is it time to take it to the pro's? God that's expensive. The fish are really starting to bite here in RI too.

Re: J120TLEND Can't slow down the idle. Tried everything in manual

Have you done anything to the engine just before this happened?

Things to check for:

-Is throttle cable allowing the linkages to return to idle stop position?
-All throttle plates closed tight at idle?
-Timing at idle less than TDC?
-Primer solenoid lever at closed position? (if so, try running with the smaller lines disconnected and plugged)

Re: J120TLEND Can't slow down the idle. Tried everything in manual

-Is throttle cable allowing the linkages to return to idle stop position?
-All throttle plates closed tight at idle?
-Timing at idle less than TDC?
-Primer solenoid lever at closed position? (if so, try running with the smaller lines disconnected and plugged)[/QUOTE]

Hi, I haven't done anything new to the engine. Just got the boat a month ago and despite what the owner says, I thing it was sitting a couple of years. ..Linkage is returning to stop, throttle plates full closed. I would have to run again out of gear to check the idle timing. the book said to check it in gear so I did that at the ramp this morning. When timing I would want to use the numbers to left of TDC on the flywheel scale, correct? You want me to try plugging the lines going to the primer solenoid in case that is defective? Thanks for your help, Anthony

Re: J120TLEND Can't slow down the idle. Tried everything in manual

Timing at idle out of gear with earmuffs is 6-7. Tried plugging the primer solenoid lines but there was no change. Ant

Re: J120TLEND Can't slow down the idle. Tried everything in manual

If that is 6-7 BTDC, then its likely quick-start is not releasing, or your idle timing is maladjusted.

You did warm it up before checking.......right?

Re: J120TLEND Can't slow down the idle. Tried everything in manual

I think I know what it is now. A temp sensor is disconnected. I reconnected it and the idle slowed. Wish I noticed that before setting the timing and wasting a few hours. Hey thanks for your help! I wouldn't have seen it without checking the other things. Thanks again! anthony

Re: J120TLEND Can't slow down the idle. Tried everything in manual

that would prevent quickstart from releasing....