[jtgriffin]

Hey guys,
I have an 89 evinrude 4hp that runs really well. My question is that when I take my hand off the tiller, it won't just sit and idle. I can litterally just watch the handle turn itself until the engine cuts off. This happens in gear or when I put it in neutral.

If I'm running clean water through it in a bucket, I can let it run and it will idle.

I bought some sea foam and am going to run that through it but wasn't sure if there is a way to adjust it so it will idle.

Thanks in advance,
J.T.

 

[Brett]

Adjust your outboard with the boat in the water.
Set the rpm's with the boat tied to the dock, in forward gear.
Then adjust the throttle grip tension screw.

 

[jtgriffin]

Brett, you rule!

Is the tension screw on the tiller handle itself? I've never adjusted it before and I'm still pretty new to the ouboard motor game.

 

[Brett]

I double checked a parts diagram.
No friction screw on the 4 hp.
So all you have to set is the idle rpm.
The vibrate back to idle must be a safety feature.

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/johnson-evinrude-parts.php?year=1989&hp=4&model=E4RCEC&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=Tiller+Arm

here's a link to the on line service manual

http://boatinfo.no/lib/evinrude/manuals/1971-1989johnsonevinrude.html#/0

 

[jtgriffin]

Brett,
I read the manual (thanks for doing that btw) and found the part about tuning the screw at idle, but I don't see a tuning screw on mine.

Here's what I've got. I did notice that the slow speed knob will come off and under the knob is essentially a screw. Should I tune that and then put the knob back on?

In the picture above I'm talking about the copper looking part. The only screw I saw was the one to the right and just below the red dot above.