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2001 40ELPTO throtle link rod length spec?

J

jep129

New member
Hello,

I have adjusted the length of the throttle link rod and the other rod (pictured) in an attempt to lower the idle. At the time I did not understand this was not the appropriate action and wish I could undo the change. I am hoping someone can provide the length, from center of clevis to center of clevis for both rods pictured. The motor is a 2001 40ELPTO 2 stroke 2 cylinder single carb. Thank you in advance.
 
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I wasn't able to post the picture. I don't know what is going on, sorry. Does anyone know a better name for the part I am asking about?
 
Does anyone have a suggestion on how I could find this information? Should I got to a Mercury shop and offer to pay an hour of labor for them to look up the spec? I have searched for so many hours and all I can find is "the length is set at the factory, don't touch it." That is great advice... but unfortunately that's not what happened. does anyone have a link to where I can buy the shop manual for a 2001 40ELPTO? I have the Clymer and have scoured the SELOC and I cant find the rod length spec anywhere. Please help.
 
I have a '92 Merc 4 cylinder 2 stroke with a similar (not the same as yours) throttle linkage. I have the Merc published shop manual for it which details how to do idle adjustment. When adjusting the throttle linkage, there is no spec on length. In the manual, setting the idle speed is a series of steps: with the engine in gear, the factory spec for idle is 650-700RPMs. In the manual, the carb idle mixture screws affect that and the throttle linkage adj screws affect that and end with adjusting the cable length with a non-binding but firm connection of the clevis to the post.

There are other threads that get into how to do the carb idle mixture. Once the idle mixture screws give you the best RPM at idle, then you adjust the throttle linkage screws to achieve the factory spec for your engine; and then cable length. Since the length varies depending on tolerances due to the cable tolerances, I'm not sure if there is a set distance.

Hopefully, someone else with that engine can give you a length to start with.
 
Hi Rick,

thank you for your response. I have a question. Are you referring to the cable and rod that are connected to the remote? If so this is not the linkage in question. My motor has two separate rods, one is connected to the timing advance directly. the length of both rods effect each other and I wish to all holy I had never touched them! I have a picture that would show the rods I am talking about but I cant upload them for the life of me.

thank you again for the response.
 
On my outboard, there are 2 rods at the motor that are each attached to cables that ultimately terminate at the remote control.
One rod, the throttle rod, connects to a vertical lever on the port side of the engine that rotates to activate both the carbs and timing mechanism. There are 3 adjustment screws on that vertical lever - one of which helps set the idle. After adjustment screws are set, there is a mechanism on the rod that allows setting the tension on the rod to the lever and that tension mechanism is adjusted to only set the tension of the rod to its end post. The Merc mechanism for setting the tension is tedious and not too easy but can be done. In your case, you messed with the tension mechanism. As long as you set the tension to be firm on the posts and to not change the adjustments to idle and timing, you should be OK.

The other rod, the transmission rod, controls F N R.

If you could get a Merc shop manual like mine, there is great definition/pictures on how to do adjustments step by step.

Nonetheless, a good Merc mechanic will take one look at your mechanism and know what to do.
 
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Thanks again. This sounds like a different set up. Neither of the rods in question are linked to the remote directly. Also, this is a single carb motor. You are right I am going to have to take it to a shop. Which brings me to my next problem... finding a shop that will look at it. The best response I have gotten yet was "you really want to re-power, I wouldn't recommend spending money on that motor." Dang it sucks being stupid and screwing up your functioning motor.
 
I have seen many old 2 strokes humming along. I don't think you have screwed up your engine. A Merc mechanic should be able to help with your engine.
 
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