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Took out my 1991 Outrage 17 and the outboard will not stay idle. Have any suggestions? It is a 115 Yamaha

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Mike -

To provide accurate and helpful advice we will need to know significantly more information.

Is your outboard motor a 2 stroke 115 or an EFI F115?

When was the motor last run? Any issues?
How old is the fuel? straight or ethanol blended? Treated with stabilizer?
Was the motor winterized?

If carb'ed, when were they last cleaned?
- gaskets changed?
- synched?

Have the fuel hoses (fill, vent and supply) been changed to alcohol resistant?

Is there a water separator in line with the fuel supply hose? Any debris or water in the cartridge?

Explain the process you take starting the engine and describe the functions of the motor. Does it run smooth at fast idle?

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Assuming you just took the boat out for the first time after being in storage, it is likely that something in the fuel system got gummed up over the winter. As Phil mentions, you'll need to give more details in order to make any more specific suggestions.

Tim

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The outboard is a two stroke non EFI. Just purchase the boat and the previous original owner had not change out the hoses but did state that he always used ethanol free gasoline. I can not locate the fuel filter and I don't think it has one. I have not checked the vent and will do so. I contacted the owner last night and he stated he only used the boat once last year and it could be the gas.

The engine will only kick over if the choke is fully open and the throttle is open a little. This is when the engin is cold or warm. Once it kicks over I have to get into gear quick or it dies. Once wide open it does fine. Just when I place the engin in neutral it will not idle and stops running.

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FYI - I owned a 1991 Outrage 17 for 7 years and just bought a 1992 model.

If possible, ask prior owner what was his "cold start procedure". Every 2 stroke motor has a personality, you need to know yours.

I would not trust the fuel in the tank at all. I would drain it and either filter and use in a lawnmower or properly disposed of.

I would replace the fuel filter under the engine cowl and buy a small portable tank and fuel line and run the engine off of that with fresh fuel. I used a 6 gallon and stored it instead of the livewell insert.



If you lift up the port quarter seat where the fuel hose routes to the fill hardware, you can see if the hose is recent or original. It should have a stripe and say "Alcohol Resistant".
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/1...LFvWzQh0pf

I would NOT run off the main tank if the hoses have not been replaced.

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Chances are you're looking at a carb rebuild and then what's called a "link and sync" which is the process of synchronizing the carbs with the timing advance. If you are handy, and have access to the factory service manual, both of those are pretty easy and it will not cost you much. If you need to go to a mechanic, be sure you find one who knows older motors.

Don't get an aftermarket service manual - they suck. Only a factory manual will help you do this properly.

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Ya, this is a classic case of a boat that has been sitting and not used enough. You need to do a de-carb to clean the engine out.