Mercury 40 hp idle too high 1998

al r.

Cadet
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
27
Help,

I just purchased this motor today and when i start it the idle is very high. When I remove the engine coverlooking from the back of motor I can push the throttle control arm forward and the idle goes down . How do I adjust this idle problem.
 

Laddies

Banned
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: Mercury 40 hp idle too high 1998

At the bottom of the arm you will see the throttle cable remove it from the anchor and adjust it to have more travel towards the idle stop.
 

al r.

Cadet
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
27
Re: Mercury 40 hp idle too high 1998

Thanks so much for yopur advice ! When I slid open the retainer at top I noticed the cables were moving inside their compartment with too much play there must be something that holds them to stop the movement.
 

Dan1977

Recruit
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
1
Re: Mercury 40 hp idle too high 1998

if your motor is a 2 stroke, I have a 97, then there is also a tapered screw that the throttle arm stops against. You may have to turn it a little counter clock wise to alow the arm to move forward dropping the idle.
 
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