Chuck wrote:
Just a silly thought, but If the original post had included useful
info ("pontoon boat" isn't useful, neither is "new Honda 4 stroke")
like something about the year, size type and HP of the engine, FI or
carb equipped, this might have been resolved already.

Mike


For sure... problem is its 30 miles away from here and its my best
buddy's boat. He is not sure of any of those details or I surely
would have included them. Will have all the info next week.
OK... as promised here is what I found. Engine started perfectly and
revved up in neutral. Engine barely had enough idle speed to keep
running. Removed the engine cover and tried to adjust the idle speed
screw but it was frozen. The solution: Bent the metal tang that the
idle speed screw rests on up slightly toward the screw to make the
adjustment. Idle speed was consistently 1000 rpm. and we drove it
away. Thanks guys.


1000 RPM seems a bit high for an idle speed.

Hmmmmmm........ it seemed right at the time. What is an acceptable
idles speed for a four stroke outboard?

That would depend on the size of the OB.

wrote in message
...
On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:51:40 GMT, "Chuck" wrote:

1000 RPM seems a bit high for an idle speed.

Hmmmmmm........ it seemed right at the time. What is an acceptable idles
speed for a four stroke outboard?

I don't think we ever established whether this was electronic fuel
injection but if so, it sounds like you have advanced the throttle
plate far enough to bypass the idle circuit.
1000 is about 250 too high and will be tough on the gears in the
lower end.

Its triple carbureted. I didn't see anything written on the case but I
think its about a 50hp and a 2003 model year. Top end when running it home
was only 4200rpm wide open. Anyway we got it moved and all is well.

You should check to see if you have a dead cylinder. To do that, set the
idle just above where it wont stumble and stall. Then pull and put back the
spark plug wires one at a time. If the engine DOESN'T slow down or stall
when you pull a wire, you have found a dead cylinder. The problem could be a
bad spark plug, valve, carburetor, or something more sinister.

"Chuck" wrote in message
news:gIfFk.370026$yE1.115548@attbi_s21...

wrote in message
...
On Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:51:40 GMT, "Chuck" wrote:

1000 RPM seems a bit high for an idle speed.

Hmmmmmm........ it seemed right at the time. What is an acceptable idles
speed for a four stroke outboard?

I don't think we ever established whether this was electronic fuel
injection but if so, it sounds like you have advanced the throttle
plate far enough to bypass the idle circuit.
1000 is about 250 too high and will be tough on the gears in the
lower end.

Its triple carbureted. I didn't see anything written on the case but I
think its about a 50hp and a 2003 model year. Top end when running it
home was only 4200rpm wide open. Anyway we got it moved and all is well.