1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

[Froggerman]

My 48spl when idling the motor it idles so low that it sometimes cuts out. Or when i give it gas it is so low that it cuts off.
Ive added my muffs and started it while in the driveway. I turned up the idles screw a little and it idles better. But when going to the lake and put it in the water and ran it, it idled low again. I locked down the nut for the idle screw too. Im afraid to turn idle screw more because i dont want to get everything out of sync. Should i take it to the lake and run it in idle turn the idle screw up some more ?


Thanks
Frogger
(Wally)

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

Your engine will idle slower in the water compaired to running it on the hose. To do it properly you should use a tach to set the idle. It should be somewhere around 700-750 in gear in the water. If you don't have access to a tach, you can set it by ear, question is do you know what 700 RPM sounds like, guess your best.

 

[Froggerman]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

What about using the Tachometer on my Dash? Will that work?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

You bet, that will work.

 

[Froggerman]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

Thanks Daviet will try that next time out.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

You're welcome, let us know how it works out.

 

[Froggerman]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

Sorry to reactivate this post but need some more clarification. So to adjust Idle I need to actually put it in gear then adjust tach?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

To start you need to make sure the low speed needles are adjusted properly, then adjust your idle to 700-750 RPM, using your tach. The engine should be in gear when you do this.

 

[Froggerman]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

Ok so I tried to adjust the idle screws on the half moon arms but the motor didnt do anything.
The low speed needles you speak of are on the carburators right ?
I see one on each carburator. Is there a special way to set them ? Do i screw them both in snug then back them off 1 1/2 turns or more ?
And if i do this then how do i make it idle higher or lower using these screws ?
I know they both need to be set the same.

Thanks for your help

 

[Froggerman]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

How about you Daviet you around ?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

Hi Walley, sent you a pm.

 

[Froggerman]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

I got is squared away thanks Daviet. I screwed both spring loaded low idle screws all the way down. Then backed them open 1 1/2 screws. At first it took forever to get it to run. Ok well not forever LOL but to the point i thought i was going to run down the Battery. But did get it to idle but low. I kept backing them both up a little at a time but made sure both were the same. It took 3/4 turn of both but now is idling perfect. Thanks for your Help Daviet.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1990 48spl Evinrude Idles low

You're welcome, have fun with your boat.