Honda 50 Idle Adjustment

hauptmaus · Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:41 pm Post subject: Honda 50 Idle Adjustment

I have a 2003 50 hp Honda (with carbs) that is idling too slowly at times and stalls. Is this hard to adjust and what tools do I need? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject:

Hauptmaus,

It is easy. All three of your carbs are linked together with an assortment of linkages. Don't mess with that. And don't mess with the screws that have paint on them. All of that stuff is what sychronizes your carbs. Leave it alone.

But if you follow the linkages on the top two carbs down to where they all come together on the bottom carb, there is a screw that controls how low or high the idle speed is set. It is right next to the shifter arm that shifts the lower end in and out of gear. A turn to the right speeds them up, a turn to the left slows them down.

Just a question or two: but is it running rough at idle too? Does your idle speed vary from time to time and they magically go back to normal? Does it stall for no apparent reason at low rpm? If you answered yes to any of this, I have reason to think you have gunk floating around in your carbs and you need to get it out. Turning the rpms up will help, but when it goes back to its normal state the rpms will be too high and you are risking damage to your lower unit.

I hope this helps. Have a good one Smile

Tim

hauptmaus · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

Hi Tim,
Thanks!! The engine does seem to idle or run rough but it slows down a lot when put in gear at idle speed. Usually this is not a problem. However on coming back to the marina it is necessary to turn and back the boat in tight quarters to position it for hi & dry takeout. This requires entering the area and a lot of manuvering in forward and reverse at basically idle speed in gear. And when I did this last week the engine finally stalled.
After I bought the boat, it idled rough and Cutter Marine had to work on the carbs and manifold. They said that the boat had sat for at least a year and probaly more without being used and the gas probably cause the problem. They suggesed that I use Starbrite Stratron in the gas and after that it ran ok.
Jim

hauptmaus · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Hi Tim,
I checked the idle, it was about 500 rpm. Based on your instructions I adlusted the idle to about 1000 rpm (the manual says 950 +/- 50). The engine now runs well at idle and there is no tendency to stall as before. A correction for my last post, the engine ran well at all speeds except idle. Thanks again for your help.
Jim