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EVINRUDE 1973 STARFLITE 85HP 85393 LO...

Discussion Forum at MarineEngine.com » Johnson Evinrude Outboard » Archive through August 06, 2009 » EVINRUDE 1973 STARFLITE 85HP 85393 LOW IDLE « Previous Next »

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MIKE HARTLEY
New member
Username: mike2

Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2009
Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 02:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

Bought new in '73. It frequently stalls when idling. Also hard to start when cold. Might the idle be too low, and is it easily adjusted? I use the manual choke on full until it sputters, then half until it warms a little. The automatic choke solenoid gave out 10 years ago. It will start eventually after a dozen tries or so. It starts immediately when warm but will only idle for 30 seconds or so before it stalls.
Could it be that it needs high octane? I've been using regular 83-85 octane.
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Brian Brackett
Advanced Member
Username: kainon

Post Number: 834
Registered: 03-2009


Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 02:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

The timing might need to be adjusted for the newer fuel if it's never been changed, I beleive there was a service bulletin many years ago.

Could also be the carbs could use a cleaning. Have you checked the cylinder compression ?

choke solenoid can still be replaced.

Carbs could be a little lean
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Brian Brackett
Advanced Member
Username: kainon

Post Number: 835
Registered: 03-2009


Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 02:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

oh could also be a spark issue, or if one of the carbs is lean at idle, that would cause 1 of the cylinders causing it to be hard starting and not idle.
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MIKE HARTLEY
New member
Username: mike2

Post Number: 2
Registered: 08-2009
Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 04:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

Do you know of an on line source for service bulletins? Nothing has ever been adjusted on this engine including the timing. I noticed the throttle cam follower (roller) is sloppy on the shaft. I thought maybe it was worn causing a reduced idle, but then it doesn't even touch the cam at idle. There doesn't appear to be a mechanical idle speed adjustment. Is it timing and mixture that controls idle speed? If I looked at the bottom plugs would that give an indication of the mixture of the bottom carb?
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Joe Reeves
Senior Member
Username: joereeves

Post Number: 7750
Registered: 02-2001


Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 08:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

If you have compression and proper spark, a clogged carburtetor is most likely your problem. Remove, clean, and rebuild it.
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Brian Brackett
Advanced Member
Username: kainon

Post Number: 850
Registered: 03-2009


Posted on Monday, August 03, 2009 - 12:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP

The roller not touching the cam at idle is OK, except it's suppose to touch at the mark thats on the cam, if not then something needs to be adjusted. I've used a small tube to make the roller larger and follow the cam better but not sure it was that model.

yes, timing and mixture control the idle, but if a cylinder is missing or not firing then again that will also cause a low idle ( so will water in the fuel - and lack of power )

Plugs might depending if you've seen them before it started happening.

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