How to Adjust Carbs on an Outboard Motor

Submerge the lower end unit into a larger rubber container filled with water. Cover the water intake ports, but allow the exhaust port to sit above the water level.

You can also perform this procedure in the water by tying up securely to a dock with fore and aft lines. Check your owner's manual to see if your carburetor adjustment can be made in the water with a neutral transmission setting. Many models require that the engine be in forward gear, with the prop producing resistance in the water.

Unclasp the top engine cowl. Remove the spark arrestor, or air cleaner system, with a socket if it impedes access to the carburetor. Start the engine and let it warm up to normal operating temperature. Deactivate the manual choke, or wait for the electric solenoid choke to open fully, if you have this model. Turn the engine off. Locate the idler mixtures screws for your carburetor. Refer to your owner's manual under "Air-fuel mixture setting."

Place a small engine tachometer clip lead around the number one cylinder spark plug. Connect the other tachometer lead to a ground source. If you have a dashboard tachometer gauge, have an assistant monitor it for rpm readings. Turn each idle-mixture screws in clockwise until they gently seat. Then turn them counterclockwise 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 revolutions. For a multi-cylinder engine with dual carburetors, adjust each idle mixture screw with this procedure.

Start the engine and place the shift selector in forward gear.Turn the idle mixture screw in clockwise until the engine sputters. Turn it out counterclockwise until the engine begins to miss. Turn it back in until you achieve the highest rpm on your tachometer, which will be a midpoint between the two stumbling screw positions. Adjust each mixture screw in this fashion, achieving the highest rpm on the tachometer gauge.

Locate the idle speed stop screw on the carburetor linkage. You will recognize it by pulling back on the throttle linkage and seeing where a small screw rest against a cam. The screw will have a throttle return spring very close to it. Look up the idle speed specifications for your outboard in your service manual. It will recommend a maximum idle speed for a warm engine.

Use a screwdriver to turn the idle speed stop screw clockwise to increase the rpm, and counterclockwise to decrease it. Set the rpm to manufacture's specifications, reading that number on the tachometer. Turn the engine off. Remove the tachometer. Replace the spark arrestor, or air cleaner assembly and tighten it with the appropriate socket. Fasten the engine cowl.