Outboard Idle Problems | Outboard Won’t Idle | Outboard Engine Won’t Stay Running | Boats.net

What do you check when your outboard idles and then dies?
In this short video from Boats.net, John will show you where to start if your outboard dies when it’s at idle. Depending on whether your boat has a carburetor or fuel injector, that’s where you’re going to start. From there, John will show you how to work your way back through your fuel and air intake systems to find possible reasons for why your outboard won’t idle properly. Finally, we’ll work our way into the ignition system to look for possible idle issues.
Read how to diagnose outboard idling problems here: www.boats.net/blog/outboard/e...
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[@Nonplused]

I found that the factory had installed a 3/8 I.D. thick walled line from the tank to the nipple thingy passing through the engine well. Without the clamp it had no resistance to removal or putting it back on at all, really loose. Best as I can measure with a ruler the nipples were 5/16. I replaced the line with new 5/16 fuel line and the fit was much better. Prior to this my fuel filter would always fill up with air, so I imagine what was happening is that at higher rpm the pump was able to keep fuel moving to the carbs, but at idle it couldn't overcome air in the lines. No gas leaked out, but to be fair that part of the system is always under suction and air entering when off would just allow the gas to drain back into the tank slowly. So bottom line, especially on older boats, always ensure the fuel lines are air tight with no leaks.

[@leonfaulk8599]

I've been taking boat out but just idling don't know of that could have caused the problem thank you again

[@MrHarryson1985]

I have a Honda BF 30A. A carbureted unit manufactured in 1999. This is a low hours unit. I recently replaced the slow speed jet. Apparently these engines tend to thousand quite quickly. I'm assuming that goes double when you spend a lot of time at idle speed. After about 5 hours on fresh Jets and a carb cleaning X3 it now seems to be running lean. Where once it was smooth at flat idle speed under load it now seems to be missing on one cylinder. When the choke is applied it returns to idling as normal. I'm guessing this is a lien State caused by yet more contamination in the fuel system that's found its way to those Jets and their absurdly small orifices. My question is, is there something else that could be causing this problem?

[@user-uq9jp3vq2m]

I have a 2012 Suzuki 2.5df that I cannot get to idle. I’ve gone through the carb twice and have tried the idle adjust and air mixture screws. Starts and runs great but dies when dropping it to idle. I have a low speed jet on order but still think I should be able to get it to idle. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[@brandoncross896]

Do y’all have any Honda repair videos?

[@soonexrepublican7556]

1987 150 black max found crushed brown wire on my idle control assembly unit. Starts idles won’t throttle up. Tanks good. Carbs good. Fuel pumps working. Got spark all cylinders. Stumped

[@markknutson964]

Hi, I have a 1998 DFI Merc Optimax 150hp and the mass air flow sensor or it’s the idle air control in the air intake on the front of the motor get covered with injector oil and it’s very hard to start when cold. When it warms up it runs great. If I take it out and clean it it fires right up and will idle but not when it has oil on it. My question is why do it have so much oil in the air intake? I know there will be some but this is obviously too much. Any thoughts?

[@lakeshorefishing6864]

I had a question about my motor trying to get it started but when I turn the key it sounds like it’s the motor is just turning over but it won’t start up anything I should try thanks

[@kellywilson2116]

2016 Honda 200hp will occasionally idle very high and prevent smooth shifting. Shifter seems "stuck" when this happens but works fine when engine idles properly at 800-900 RPM. Please help.

[@leonfaulk8599]

I have a 110 Evinrude engine leaking what should I check for always running down the left side I'm new to boating don't know if this a major problem could you help

[@zamanzf6165]

1991 jonson 2 stroke 20 hp atart after few pull but about half k.m. stop slowely ! than start again do the same also seems oil in water some time smoke too , what it would be ?

[@user-gt6fw4hd3b]

My 2004 Johnson 35 HP will not idle .I checked the adjustment screw and it was out 4 full turns . I turned them clockwise until the idle raised and stalled then backed out 1/2 turn , After turning all the way in to check how many turns it was a little more than 1 1/2 turns out. It is idling now. Is this the correct procedure ? I have owned since new and store it at a marina that services it But Im confused about how far out the screw was.

[@patbello3460]

Carb rebuilt 50 evinrude. Won't start. If I prime the carb manually, will start and run. Shut down and try to restart, won't?

[@user-gq3rv1dj9z]

I have 4 stroke 50 yahama. Would like to know how to adjust the idle screw,because it is idling to hard.

[@je7758]

I have 2012 Yamaha F350 idle for 20 seconds and dies then restarts again whit out power inlet when I put some RPM doesn’t shut off

[@williambrown238]

I have twin 175 Johnsons won't idle after they warm up. Hit or miss when they are cold. Disconnected the vessel tank and tried to test run them on fresh fuel from a different tank. Both have an intermediate miss. The counter rotate engine is the worse. I'm beating my head against the wall. Even rebuild the carbs on the counter rotate because of warped float bowls. Figured I might as well while I had them off. In the process of doing a hot soak with sea foam. So far nothing has really worked for long. In engine fuel filters have less than 5 hours on them.

[@luidias3470]

1999 mercury 200 efi when starts after a minute at iddle goes to 2k rpm, checked TPS meters ar 2k ohms, primer bulb is good, also replaced racor and internal fuel filter and thermostats. Any help would be appreciated

[@ericelmer5289]

I took my boat in they thought it was the fuel water vapor separator but honestly what makes them go bad because they seem simple?

[@tonysimons7218]

How do I check the IAC valve on a 25 four stroke Mercury EFI to know it’s good or bad? I have an issues after warm up engine doesn’t like to idle.

[@shawn56555]

I have the same issue with the same motor. Did you ever figure it out?

[@anthonycoley5114]

200 z stroke rev's high when started,want idle, force in gear to go, and runs fine,, can u help?

[@iutateeman419]

I have 115 hp yahama engine, a fuel injecting unit the problem when i start up is very easy to start by if i encage the gear is automatically shut off.

[@jorgeortiz6195]

70hp Johnson outboard (runs good but occasionally stalls at low rpm), any tips

[@GeauxHomeImprovements]

Any fix on what this was

[@GeauxHomeImprovements]

Any fix?

[@chelseasheets300]

i have a johnson 60hp 2 stroke and im having problems. when i start it the motor high revs like crazy and dropped down and stall and most of the time i have to start the boat with the choke pushed in on the key, if i don"t push the choke in it will not even pop off. any advice will help.thanks

[@findingtruth511]

You found the problem?

[@dancole298]

My brothers 90 Yamaha 4 stroke won’t idle and surges....fuel injection.... thanks

[@larryjones2201]

Yamaha 2 strokes? carbs needing rebuilt or Reeds needs replacing

[@cjstuntz8884]

My boat motor 28hp evinrude spl will run and idle for about 10 seconds but if u try to put it in gear it dies

[@TomKirkman1]

How much "shake" is acceptable on an outboard? My Mercury 60HP runs fine, but at idle it seems to shake a little. Is this normal?

[@javlinmartin5303]

i have the same question. but just my thoughts not a professional opinion i think its ok to shake some since yk its a three cylinder not a even number

[@souavang6975]

My question is....when i start the engine.the engine is runing but when i put it on forward gear and the engine just die.or put in reward gear it's do the same.so i want to know what's the problem.can you or any one tell me.....

[@stratosmalakos3535]

I have a yamaha f15 2012 and it is overheating only at idle. It pees fine with new impeller new thermostat and anodes. What might be wrong???

[@allanabuan8889]

How about 2 stroke Yamaha outboard sir?

[@hugoglenn9741]

Next advice: forget air filters (most outboards don’t have one, secondly I’ve never had a fuel filter that clogged so bad fuel couldn’t make its way around (so being it’s probably water in the fuel with ethanol being the cause most of the time). That leads me to water making it through the system or ethanol derived scum blocking electric fuel pumps or creating electrolysis derived crust in the carbs. Additionally softening/melting or hardening/cracking fuel lines and carb needles. Yes ethanol can soften and or dry out and harden. Moral of the story ethanol is the bane of boaters existence

[@chuggywuggy3370]

A lot of these issues could be ruled out as they would manifest themselves even worse at high RPM.

[@wesleyleach3300]

2007 mercury 90hp 2 stroke ,start up high idle ,when it idles down motor dies

[@hugoglenn9741]

Wrong answer: like my Dad said, never ever F with Idle adjustment screws from factory settings. Always fix the problem, gummed up carb, leaky float needle (running rich, my problem 80% of the time lately), out of timing or ignition issue. Every used Briggs seems to have the idle adjust screw F’d with. With that one I think standard is all the way in then out 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 Thread. The problem with outboards factory settings aren’t always standard.

[@williamtoxey2575]

How to fix 115 yamaha four stoke had water in gas changed filter starts n goes dead

[@ceisarsrepair7958]

I have an older Johnson 140 2 stroke. Runs great on rabbit ears, but put the boat in water and won't even start, then pull out of water, hook up rabbit ears and fires right up, even the local shop can't explain it. Had the same issues with a 200. Any ideas??? Thanks!

[@darcymason319]

Your local shop should be able to fix this lol It could be something as simple as adjusting the idle screw, boats have higher RPM on the muffs. So if you set it on the muffs it might be too low once in water with resistance.

[@robertmccullough1425]

Motor runs good at half/full throttle but won't idle... Any suggestions?

[@bradhub4405]

Same issue here, did you get it figured out? To bad they don't respond to any of the comments.

[@cjstuntz8884]

I have a serious question

[@TheDuffman1986]

My outbound is perfect in forward but when in reverse the rpm increases with the control going back and then she went into reverse in high rpm! And experienced person that can help please 🙏

[@jeremythompson0306]

My 1988 Yamaha 150prov runs great out of water.. & on muffs, when she’s in the water she will not ideal or go

[@Joe-ql6nn]

coil issues! , I had the same problem, it would run great on the Muffs, put it on the Lake and the moisture with the coil. I pulled off the fly wheel and sure enough I had burn marks / holes in the plastic coatings on the coils, replace the coils and the problem was gone, start like a charm

[@kykesimspon5136]

Hey mate so I'm having an issue with my 50hp 4 stroke Mercury starts then dies pretty well straight away I've checked everything you have said in your video and still having no luck

[@GeauxHomeImprovements]

What was wrong with it?

[@goncalometelo7002]

For when a video rebuilding the F60 carbs and sync?

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

My problem is the engine is idling too high, not too low. And I don't know where the idle screw is on it. 1998 Yamaha 150 V6 Two Stroke.

[@Ivan-pl2it]

Work your throttle and watch the linkage,, you will see it.

[@Realitygetreal]

OK, so when you replace the entire fuel system from tank to reed valves and it still wont idle for more than 30 seconds then what?, and yes it has good compression..

[@falconeaterf15]

Did you ever solve your problem. I have the same situation on my 20fs.

[@ronniemasters8424]

I has the throttle cables replaced on my 2006 90 hp Mercury 2 stroke outboard motor. Went out on the lake and at WOT the RPM dropped from 5300 to 4200 RPM. Took it back the the mechanic and he said it couldn't be adjusted any more. What could be the problem? The butterflies are not opening completely . I show that to the mechanic and he said the the throttle stop wouldn't allow any more adjustment.

[@jponyboyace]

Engine 99 115 murcury starts fine but cuts out and sounds like fuel…

[@stephanperovanovic8966]

Me too bro. Replaced fuel filters, fuel lines, fuel pump, rebuilt carbonators replaced reed valves.. It’ll start up then die within 10-15 seconds. Have no idea wtf is up. Has spark has fuel has air. I’m stumped

[@mikejoned7148]

How to start with a fast idle lever

[@timrobinson3619]

I got johson40 HP. Out board. 2stroke... Turn key bush on as key turns. Starts. Push lever up runs smooth Then as bring lever down motor stop or as put in gear Stop running.

[@austin1752]

Takes 5 days to get ur dam parts

[@rikwilliams4132]

You company duck pay for shipping and still don't get you parts on time 👎👎👎

[@sharpnr445]

My outboard " motor" doesn't go very far , extension cords are expensive... Sorry, this misnomer has exhausted for generations.

[@Tnj8228]

All these videos and dude just rambles but never gives any real info

[@kellywilson2116]

2016 Honda 200hp will occasionally idle very high and prevent smooth shifting. Shifter seems "stuck" when this happens but works fine when engine idles properly at 800-900 RPM. Please help.