Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

[smellfishone]

Howdy y'all, I'm new here, did some searches, but couldn't find any schematics or diagrams in any of the previous posts on idle adjustment linkage/pictures/etc.

I'm looking to increase the idle on my 225 Evinrude, vintage 1986 or 1987. I've seen a diagram of some linkage in the past, and there's a screw on there somewhere with a backing nut. I'm told I need to back off the backing nut or whatever in order to turn the screw CLOCKWISE to increase the idle a bit.

Carbs were rebuilt and motor was gone over and was warned that the idle might be set too low. Well, it's too low...motor stalls when docking/reversing, would like to increase idle it so I don't dock the boat on the ramp.

If anyone can point me in the right direction once I remove the cowling/cover, I'd be much obliged. Great forum.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Idle speed is changed/controlled by the ignition timing.
Look on shop.evinrude.com, locate your motor, and go to the "cylinder/crankcase" page. Zoom in til you see the linkages well, and you will see reference numbers 80, 86, and 81.
These parts when assembled are located under the stbd side of the flywheel, and look like a black cigar tube.
The jam nut is on the end, the small screw moves the timer base either clockwise or counterclockwise under the flywheel as you adjust...

Turn the screw out to speed up, in to slow down. You cannot hurt anything by making this adjustment.

Set idle speed at 700 to 750 or so in the water, so you have exhaust back pressure.

 

[OldPcGuy]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Sorry for jumping in here.... adjusting this will not effect other throttle settings..?? In effect, it's only an idle adjustment..?? My '87 XP 200 is idling around 1,000 rpm in the water, which seems fast to me. (I'm in the process of cleaning carbs, and checking hoses, but after that, I'd like the idle to be nearer 700.)

 

[daselbee]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

OLDPC, alot depends on whether the link and sync is correct. Many things can cause the engine to idle too fast....but if all else is GOOD, then you adjust the idle like I described above.

First and foremost, regarding link and sync, is that all throttle butterflies are absolutely closed at the idle position. Some people try to adjust the idle UP by turning the idle stop screw that effectively "cracks" the throttle butterflies open a bit. This is wrong.
This is something that might be done on a car, not an outboard.

So, look at the idle stop screw on yours, and make sure it is not "propping" the butterflies open a bit. Also, as I said, adjusting the idle timing screw will cause no harm. Simply put it back to where it was if you need to. It will not throw off any other adjustments.

 

[smellfishone]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Thanks for the feedback.

However, I found that 80, 86, 81 (cigar tube like assembly) did not modify the idle adjustment at all.

In re-looking at the diagram on shop.evinrude.com, there is a screw numbered 71 that says 'screw, Idle adj.' this screws into the 69 Throttle Lever Upper. When turned Clockwise, it pushes the lever assembly away from the block/powerhead and the RPMs definitely increased.

I'm not sure I understood all of the previous threads, but is the screw, idle adj not really the screw I should be using to turn up the idle? The link assembly spark advance, (80, 86, 81) had no affect on the idle.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Thanks for the feedback.

However, I found that 80, 86, 81 (cigar tube like assembly) did not modify the idle adjustment at all.

In re-looking at the diagram on shop.evinrude.com, there is a screw numbered 71 that says 'screw, Idle adj.' this screws into the 69 Throttle Lever Upper. When turned Clockwise, it pushes the lever assembly away from the block/powerhead and the RPMs definitely increased.

I'm not sure I understood all of the previous threads, but is the screw, idle adj not really the screw I should be using to turn up the idle? The link assembly spark advance, (80, 86, 81) had no affect on the idle.

Nope...idle is adjusted with the above referenced (# 80,86,81) screw/parts in my earlier posts.
The screw you are looking at is the idle stop screw, and should be adjusted so that it provides a positive stop at the exact point in throttle linkage movement where the throttle butterflies are COMPLETELY closed. No more no less.
Using the idle stop screw to increase idle is not the correct method, and will result in a very rough idle. It will never be right.

As you turn the screw referenced in my earlier posts, look up under the flywheel and observe the timer base. It should move, by link #83 on the drawing.
Turning the screw OUT will cause the timerbase to rotate counterclockwise (INCREASE IDLE SPEED), and turning it IN will cause the timer base to go clockwise (DECREASE IDLE SPEED). No movement is why you are having idle problems. If it doesn't move find out why.
There is a spring in there...make sure there is a "spring loaded feel" to that cigar tube dealie.

 

[clevecan]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

please post a link to the page that shows all these ajustments/

 

[daselbee]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Link and sync (including idle speed adjustment) is an involved procedure.
It is covered thoroughly in the factory service manual (not Clymer's, not Seloc) for this engine in section 1.
There is no "link" because this is copyrighted material and is not posted.

Get a manual.

 

[cfauvel]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Nope...idle is adjusted with the above referenced (# 80,86,81) screw/parts in my earlier posts.
The screw you are looking at is the idle stop screw, and should be adjusted so that it provides a positive stop at the exact point in throttle linkage movement where the throttle butterflies are COMPLETELY closed. No more no less.
Using the idle stop screw to increase idle is not the correct method, and will result in a very rough idle. It will never be right.

As you turn the screw referenced in my earlier posts, look up under the flywheel and observe the timer base. It should move, by link #83 on the drawing.
Turning the screw OUT will cause the timerbase to rotate counterclockwise (INCREASE IDLE SPEED), and turning it IN will cause the timer base to go clockwise (DECREASE IDLE SPEED). No movement is why you are having idle problems. If it doesn't move find out why.
There is a spring in there...make sure there is a "spring loaded feel" to that cigar tube dealie.

OMG i can't believe I have been adjusting the idle all wrong all of these years, no wonder it idles like crap!!!
If the idle is set by changing the timerbase, how does that affect the WOT maximum advance.. I believe on a 1986 225 Evinrude the max advance is supposed to be 18 BTDC, but doesn't state what the at idle timing advance should be. Won't changing the timer base setting also change the total adavance? Sorry just a little lost on the subject...but this week end I will definitely adjust the Idle Stop to be equal to when the carbs' butterflys are closed.

thanks for your knowledge
Chris

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Cfauvel, you probably should have started a new thread instead of replying to a 2 month old one (the thread police will be after you). But to answer your question, no, adjusting idle timing will NOT effect maximum advance - there's an adjustable stop for setting maximum advance.

Also, the procedure (link-n-sync) is a little more involved than just setting the timing. You really need to get a factory manual for the full procedure.

 

[cfauvel]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Sorry about not creating a new thread. I have a clymer manual, but I've read that wont suffice. Do you know of a place to get the factory manual?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Daviet]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Check e-bay, sometimes they are on there. Google Ken Cook, he has factory reprints. Make sure you use your model number to order the manual to get the correct one.

 

[clanton]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

ISBN 0-89287-555-0 Clymer manual page 259-262. Idle adjustment is different for 1988/90. Adjustment screw for 1986/87 is shown in photo 60.

 

[cfauvel]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Cecil !!
Is that you!!??

cool I have the pages marked off...will re-adjust this weekend...The girls have ballet recital this weekend, so can't test the boat on the ocean.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Idle Adjustment 1987 Evinrude 225

Cfauvel you have a PM.