96 Johnson 60 with high idle

jetski202

Recruit
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
3
What a great site! Lots of useful knowledge out there that has helped me with many repairs.

I have a 96? J60TLEDR 3 cyl 60 hp outboard motor that I?m trying to diagnose. It runs great at all speeds, but the idle is too high 1200 ? 1500 rpm (in water). Butterfly valves always come to a complete close (I took the intake cover off to check), so it?s not that. I did a compression check on the motor and it has 140 psi on all cylinders, so it has perfect compression.

When I first started thinking about it, I was diagnosing the quick start to see if maybe it was staying on all the time. There is no voltage leak on the yellow/red wire to the power pack. The temperature switch white/black wire was disconnected and I ground the lead coming from the power pack. No change in rpm. I guess Power pack could still be bad, but how do I check that before spending $300?

I then went after timing while the engine was in the water. 1st time I checked the timing with a light, it was about 1 degrees BTDC @ 1200 rpm. Since spec is 4 degrees BTDC, I retarded the timing and the idle dropped back to ~1000 rpm. Before putting it away for the winter, I decided to check the timing again. This time it was about 2 degrees BTDC @ 1300 rpm, so I adjusted it back to 4 degrees BTDC and the idle again came in to about 1100 rpm. Problem is I don?t have too much more adjustment on the timing screw and I can never get it to idle low enough. When you put it in gear the idle is right about 950 ? 1000 rpm, but I?d like it to be just a tad lower. Does anyone think the flywheel is slipping? I can?t image this is a common problem on an engine that has been babied.

Any help would be appreciated?? I?m almost to the point that I?ll let an OMC tech look at it, but would rather fix myself. Thanks.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: 96 Johnson 60 with high idle

1. The sync/link must be correct. The manual explains it.

2. The cables must fully retract. Carb butterfly's closed. All other linjkage to dead stop.

3. Air leak in fuel system.
 

jetski202

Recruit
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
3
Re: 96 Johnson 60 with high idle

Link & Sink has been done. No change.
Cables fully retract and butterfly valves are completely closed.

I have done some looking for an air leak but found nothing. Visually, I can't see any cracks in the block or gaskets that are missing. All the bolts for the fuel system are tight. How else can I find this air leak?? I have heard using starting fluid will work. Any ideas here?

Thanks.
 
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