1987 50 hp not idling

[Whitefeather1968]

I made a little progress today but still have some issues. I pulled the carbs. off again today and went through them again to triple check everything. When I hit the top carb. with the air compressor on the idle orifice the cap popped off in my hand so, I didn't get a good enough seal on the top carb so I hit it again with the dull end of the nut driver. While it was off I checked to make sure the orifices were clean. They were but I ran a small wire through them anyways. I went back to the original float setting that is a little lower than level. Repeated it on the bottom carb. I made me a water bath in the driveway and hooked it up to the muffs, she started up as good as ever. I was able to adjust the idle and it was purring like a kitten. It never sounded that good.
However, I did notice a little spurt of gas coming out of the idle orifice on the top carburetor. Is that normal? I didn't notice it on the bottom carb. After 45 minutes of the smoothest idle I've ever had with it, I used the high idle to increase the RPMs and it took off. It went to at least 5000 RPM and would not idle back down. I covered the carbs to choke it out. Then after about 15 minutes of idle I put it in gear and it did it again with about 1/4 throttle it jumped straight up to 5000 RPMs and wouldn't idle back down. Both times the butterflies were completely closed and the time advance was idle position. How is it getting that much fuel and air to overrev like that. I squirted WD 40 on all the hoses and connections to see if it was an air leak. The mounting gasket is new and carburetors are tight.
I got the idle issues fixed but its a little scary to have one that will not idle down.

 

[oldboat1]

Ouch! Might be of interest, Whitefeather: http://www.leeroysramblings.com/runaway_outboards.html

 

[Whitefeather1968]

Thank you oldboat that is it. It's an attention getter when it happens. Looks like something easy this time.

 

[Les Robb]

A little safety note, you can buy a open air spark tester with adjustable gap at an auto parts store for only 8 bucks. One end has a spring clip for grounding to engine.

 

[Whitefeather1968]

I feel like I'm getting close, but is it normal for fuel to be coming out of the idle orifice when it's idling? If it is, then it gets lake tested this week.

 

[ondarvr]

I feel like I'm getting close, but is it normal for fuel to be coming out of the idle orifice when it's idling? If it is, then it gets lake tested this week.

It depends on what you mean you that, or how much is coming out. It wouldn't be running if fuel wasn't coming out of the jet, but the amount could be an issue

 

[Whitefeather1968]

It's a little droplet about every 5 seconds. Not a steady flow. I've never noticed it before until I got everything cleaned.

 

[Whitefeather1968]

I just got back from the lake test. I am happy to report things are as good as they ever have been since I've owned this boat (10 years) It started with about 2 turns of the flywheel and was idling perfect. Pulled away from the dock and hit WOT and it never sounded that good. Ran it hard for a solid 20 minutes without a hint of trouble.
I would like to thank everyone that helped me out by responding to this thread. Hopefully I can contribute to someone else on here if the need arises.
Thanks again and we will see you on the water.

 

[oldboat1]

Good to hear. Good to go for the next 10!

 

[Texas Prowler]

Awesome!