www.iFourWinns.com

hey guys i just recently bought a 2004 18' four winns, it has the 3.0 GLP-B in it and the thing runs great, but it wont idle too well, i had to turn it up to keep it from stalling while sitting there, i turned the idle up to around 1100 rpm out of gear and it'll idle like that no problem, i'm thinking it's possibly the fuel filter, i took the one out of the carb in the fuel inlet and cleaned it with carb cleaner but that didnt help, i know their is another one in the fuel pump but it is a PITA to get to, i'm probably gonna replace that this week. the fuel filter is the only thing left i did a complete tuneup on it, including all the oils, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor but did not think about the fuel filters, is their anything else that you guys can think of?

Water in your fuel?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Some blockage in the idle control galleries? Basically the fuel "circuit" that supplies fuel at idle; it's usualy controlled by a needle valve ( or two) that on modern engines have a seal over the end to stop "tampering" by owners. Sometimes there's also a similiar needle valve that controls the air at idle.

Graham

As Graham said, likely the idle mixtures, they will have plugs over them that have to be pryed out and then you can get to the mixture screws.

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Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

ok, thanks i picked up the filters yesterday and i'm gonna install them today, not sure about the water in the fuel, i just bought it and i havent filled it yet, there was about 3/4 of a tank in it and i ran it down to about 1/4 the last time i was out, it ran great at anything above idle so i dont think there's water in it. So i'll replace the filters today, and look for those needles, any idea on where they might be?

ok, heres an update, i replaced the filters, the one in the fuel pump was rediculous, had to pull the motor mount to remove the fuel pump in order to replace the filter, i wasnt able to do it tihe it still attched, not being able to see and only being able to get one hand in there, anyways, started it up, no difference but at least they are done for peace of mind, so next step was to adjust the carb. so i pried out those little caps and was able to adjust them and get the idle rpm down to about 950-1000, and it sounds better and starts easier, does the rpms sound about right? this is with the boat out of water and in neutral.

thats a little too high, probably 800 max out of water.

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Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

alright so i got it a little lower maybe around 800-900 but if i go any lower at all it runs really rough until it dies, any other ideas? what's this i hear about the electric choke staying on and it's adjustable, could that be part of my problem? i'm just grasping at straws here, i really dont wanna get into the carb but if i have to i will, that's kind of the last resort for me because this thing is running so well at 1000 rpms and up.

It's years siince I worked on anything with a carb, but even in the 1990's it was common to have an idle fuel needle valve and another needle valve that adjusted the air at idle (bypassing the throttle plate(s)). Does your carb have more than one needle valve? I can't offer any more advice I'm afraid.

Graham

its possible the choke is staying on, and just as possible that your tach is incorrect. once its warmed up take off the flame arrestor, the choke plate should be straight up.

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Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

ok, i'll look at that, part of me remembers seeing it at an angle, is there any sort of adjustments for that? i gotta go out tonight, i'll check that tommorow.

oh, and graham, it has two needles, one on the port side and one on the starboard, and then of course it has the air adjustment that's on the linkage

Air adjustment on the linkage? There will be an adjustment for the idle throttle plate (butterfly) position. Some carbs have little holes in the butterflies to allow air through for idle. If not, and it's too open, the fuel needle valves may well have difficulty in controlling the fuel for idle accurately. It's a dual carb with both throttle butterflies on the same shaft I imagine, rather than a sequential one.( one with a small butterfly for low speed, with a larger one that kicks in for higher speed/ power). If it is a dual butterfly one, there is probably 2 idle speed needle valves, one for each butterfly. If it's a sequential one, ther is usually only one fuelling idle needle valve.

Graham

alright. heres another update, went out a messed with it again today, i got the idle down to about 800 rpms or so, that seems to be the lowest i can get it, the choke is all the way off, so i think that is alright to live with, i'm gonna put a full tank of fresh gas in it and run some fuel system cleaner through it and see if that helps any but it seems to be running great now, thanks for your help unless you have any other suggestions.

Before putting any fuel treatments in it try using non-ethanol gas, even if you have to pay extra for Shell Premium and fill the boats via gas cans. Can't beat real gas in humid conditions.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP