1989 Mercury Black Max 175hp Idle Stabilizer

[altenhoffl]

Can anyone tell me where the idle stabilizer is on a 1989 Mercury Black Max 175. My motor is acting like it wants to die after I crank it. I am not sure if the idle is messed up or the fuel is running lean. If anyone has any information that could be helpful please reply. I took the boat out saturday and it ran fine until we were coming back in and then it wanted to cut off but when I cut it off and cranked it back up it ran. Could I have bad gas or too much oil in the fuel mix?

 

[nbnewbie]

Re: 1989 Mercury Black Max 175hp Idle Stabilizer

I can't speak directly to your outboard (not having the SN#), but the idle stab is usually mounted on top of the carbs in front of the flywheel. It is supposed to affect timing at both low and high RPM. Not a very widely respected design and considered by many to be better removed then readjust timing.

 

[altenhoffl]

Re: 1989 Mercury Black Max 175hp Idle Stabilizer

I can't speak directly to your outboard (not having the SN#), but the idle stab is usually mounted on top of the carbs in front of the flywheel. It is supposed to affect timing at both low and high RPM. Not a very widely respected design and considered by many to be better removed then readjust timing.

Okay, I will check and see if it's there. Thank you.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 1989 Mercury Black Max 175hp Idle Stabilizer

Find the terminals on the switchboxes that are jumpered together. Any other wires that are on those terminals go to either an idle stabilizer or an "advance" module. Both can be troublesome, as a short to ground will advance the timing at WOT so far it'll likely throw parts at you.