Re: 150 HP Force 5 cyl 1991 Idle Speed
Did your mechanic adjust the idle in neutral with the mistaken assumption that RPM should be 800 in neutral? Correct idle RPM is about 700-750 IN FORWARD GEAR, in the water. This usually translates to about 1000 RPM in neutral. Too low an idle speed will almost always let the engine stall when shifting into gear and sometimes make it hard starting. Idle speed is adjusted by the idle stop screw on the timing linkage tower. Turn it about 1/8 turn in several times with open throttle running in between until the idle RPM is correct. Do not adjust carbs to change idle speed.
If the low speed idle mixture screws are set too lean, the engine will be hard starting. These needles should be about one turn out from lightly seated. Too lean and the engine will melt pistons.
