Won't return to idle 4.3

[Jmunk]

2003 Sea Ray 182
Engine serial # 0M369570

This boat is newer to me and recently noticed the idle was a tad high at 800rpm. I turned it down on the idle speed screw on the carb (I later read it's suppose to be locked into base timing mode to adjust idle speed? Doesn't make sense to me).

Boat runs great and with the idle speed now around 650rpm in gear. After comic off a run for a few minutes or more the idle is around 1000-1100rpm in neutral. Didn't know if this is normal and how the carb engines are or if it should return back to 650rpm after coming off plane and being placed into neutral.

When I come off plane and its idling high if I turn it off and then turn it back on it's lower around 650-700rpm.

I'm leaning towards idle fuel mixture ?

 

[Scott Danforth]

check to see if you have play in your throttle linkage. if you can pull the cable forward on the boat and return to idle it is exterior to your carb. sometimes the throttle return spring starts to get weak.

I highly doubt its your idle mixture.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Check the throttle cable near the carb. See if it is smooth. Any bit of dirt could make it stick on the way back to idle. I used to put a little grease on mine to make it function smoother.

 

[Bondo]

(I later read it's suppose to be locked into base timing mode to adjust idle speed? Doesn't make sense to me).

Ayuh,.... Donno where ya read it, but it's untrue,.....

When the control lever is in neutral/ idle, go to the carb, is there slight tension of the cable Pushin' the throttle link up against the idle adjustment screw,..??

If not, pull the cotter pin, screw the cable out, put it back on, 'n try it,....

 

[Jmunk]

No Title

Thanks for the replies. I went out and checked with the throttle lever in neutral I can move the cam the idle speed screw rests on with very light pressure. The screw appears to be making contact but just barely.

I'll make a slight adjustment of lengthening the throttle cable. I make the adjust at the black plastic barrel near the red fuse breaker button? Pull it off that stud as well as at the carb connection for the cable, adjust a turn or two and reassemble?

 

[Bondo]

. I make the adjust at the black plastic barrel near the red fuse breaker button? Pull it off that stud

Ayuh,.... Slide the barrel off the stud, 'n turn it, in 1/2 turn increments,...

Ya might have to loosen the nut on the carb end, or not,....

Adjust, test, adjust, test,....
Slight tension against the idle adjustin' screw,....

 

[Jmunk]

I lengthened the throttle cable by 1/2 turn. Prior to it the idle speed screw was barely resting on then cam, now it has more pressure but the choke cam it rest on still moves with some light pressure.

I'll get it in the water this weekend hopefully and update with the results.

 

[Jmunk]

Update:

I ran it yesterday in the water. Ran on plane for a while then took it out of gear, idled around 900rpm. Better then before but doesn't return to 650-700rpm as when started from being off. When it's at 900 if I turn it off, and restart its back at the 650-700. When it was at 900 in neutral after coming off plane I checked and the idle speed screw was bottomed out on the choke cam.

Not sure if it will get better or I live with it.

 

[Jmunk]

Any ideas?