What I did for the past couple days and some Q's

F

fropleyquark

New Member
Dec 30, 2007
99
So I've been pretty busy the last few days getting her ready for the summer: (almost forgot this is all on a 305/Merc Alpha One Gen II)

(Thought) I had a carb problem so ordered a new rebuilt and played carb swap quite a few times. Finally realized that the carb was ok but there wasnt any spark.

Swapped 8 new spark plugs in (old ones were probably original from 94 and NASTY) and presto! She fired right up. Tuned carb and moved on to oil.

Changed the oil/filter and water/fuel filter as long as I was down there.

Ordered a new impeller kit and just finished that up this morning. I did notice that with the new impeller that the temp at idle is actually a little higher than before but not in the danger zone. Shes idling around 160-165. 150-155 at 2k rpm. The outboard lube got a change as well.

Also replaced all the zincs and greased up any grease fitting I could find.

Now, Q time. How do I adjust and/or lube my throttle cable? I set my idle to 650 and thats fine but when I run up the rpms itll only return to 1k. I can physically pull the throttle cable by the carb a little and she'll return to 650. There's play at the control unit end. Can I take the control unit off?

I'm pretty experienced with car engines and I know that oil in the spark plugs is a bad thing. Thats what I've got. I replaced the valve seals on one of my old jeeps for the same reason. Anyone think of any other reasons I might be getting oil down there before I start looking to reseal the valve train?

Thanks!
 
You pulled the new plugs and found oil? If it was the old plugs, then I wouldn't worry. You would see smoke in the exhaust if you had oil getting by... no?
 
Did you just get this boat? If so could there have been fogging oil put into the engine for winter layup? As to the idle, it was common practice to add a $2.00 spring between the throttle on the carb and a good attachment point on the intake manifold. It eliminated the play causing the throttle to not come back to full closed.
 
SCORPIO said:
Did you just get this boat? If so could there have been fogging oil put into the engine for winter layup? As to the idle, it was common practice to add a $2.00 spring between the throttle on the carb and a good attachment point on the intake manifold. It eliminated the play causing the throttle to not come back to full closed.
Click to expand...

Thats an awesome idea. Good call. :smt038

H2ONUT, No I didnt just get her. Even with the new plugs I get a big poof of smoke on start up. Im pretty certain Ive got oil seeping into the cyliners. I know that could mean worn rings or valve seals but was wondering if anyone knows of any other culprits. I read something about another valve that can cause that but cant find that thread... :smt009
 
Do you have alot of blowby comming out of the valve cover breather hoses that attach to the flame arrestor? If so, that could indicate bad rings. A leakdown test would pinpoint the problem. Also a compression test would give some ideas. If its only smoking at startup after sitting for a while, I'd suspect bad valve seals. Worn rings would'nt really let oil build up in the cylinders, but would allow oil to burn all the time, at least until fully up to operating temp. Does the engine use much oil? Does it make adequate power? What is your wide open throttle RPM?
 
SCORPIO said:
Do you have alot of blowby comming out of the valve cover breather hoses that attach to the flame arrestor? If so, that could indicate bad rings. A leakdown test would pinpoint the problem. Also a compression test would give some ideas. If its only smoking at startup after sitting for a while, I'd suspect bad valve seals. Worn rings would'nt really let oil build up in the cylinders, but would allow oil to burn all the time, at least until fully up to operating temp. Does the engine use much oil? Does it make adequate power? What is your wide open throttle RPM?
Click to expand...

Good points. I dont really know what constitutes "alot" of blowby. There is some though. Like a fine mist.

She doesnt burn oil constantly. I actually need to check the level, I just changed the oil 3 days ago.

As far as power, Im pretty sure, doesnt seem to be lacking in power anyway.

Not sure about RPM. Id have to go check.
 
SCORPIO said:
Do you have alot of blowby comming out of the valve cover breather hoses that attach to the flame arrestor? If so, that could indicate bad rings. A leakdown test would pinpoint the problem. Also a compression test would give some ideas. If its only smoking at startup after sitting for a while, I'd suspect bad valve seals. Worn rings would'nt really let oil build up in the cylinders, but would allow oil to burn all the time, at least until fully up to operating temp. Does the engine use much oil? Does it make adequate power? What is your wide open throttle RPM?
Click to expand...
+1 on the smoke at start-up. Usually valve guide seals. Not hard to change if you have a compressed air tank and a spark plug adapter for it.

How many hours on your engine?
 
Just a note: The thermostat should hold engine temp at a constant value regardless of RPM. If it isn't. . and you are higher at idle. . I would suspect that the thermostat is not working 100% correctly. You may want to buy a spare and look into replacing it. Not saying do it now. . .but be prepared.
 
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