Idle speed for beta 38

  • May 04, 2012 2:49 PM
    Message # 912040
    Deleted user
    Hi - our new engine is in and running but I think it's idling a bit high. The manual doesn't say the idle revs. Does anyone know what it should be?
  • May 04, 2012 2:55 PM
    Reply # 912051 on 912040
    Anonymous
    If I recall correctly when I spoke to Stanley he told me it should idle between 650-800 rpm. 

    What type of RPM are you seeing? 
  • May 04, 2012 5:03 PM
    Reply # 912149 on 912040
    Deleted user
    hey Tate - I had about 1500 - it sounded way too high. OK I'll adjust tomorrow.

    Got a big problem though - it seems that we have a slow leak (more of an ooze really) from the bottom bolt of the shaft log. The bolt was a really snug fit down there so Bud and Andrew couldn't get a washer on it - we tightened up the bolts but once the shaft was in, I couldn't reach the bolt head underneath - the shaft was in the way. I have a chance to have her pulled again tomorrow - what do you think? I'm not really 100% sure the leak is from there - we built up the epoxy boss under the shaft log and put lots of caulking around the bolts. There is no way for me to hold the bolt head....aaaarrggghhhh
  • May 05, 2012 9:03 AM
    Reply # 912502 on 912149
    Anonymous
    Rosemary Wilson wrote:hey Tate - I had about 1500 - it sounded way too high. OK I'll adjust tomorrow.

    Got a big problem though - it seems that we have a slow leak (more of an ooze really) from the bottom bolt of the shaft log. The bolt was a really snug fit down there so Bud and Andrew couldn't get a washer on it - we tightened up the bolts but once the shaft was in, I couldn't reach the bolt head underneath - the shaft was in the way. I have a chance to have her pulled again tomorrow - what do you think? I'm not really 100% sure the leak is from there - we built up the epoxy boss under the shaft log and put lots of caulking around the bolts. There is no way for me to hold the bolt head....aaaarrggghhhh



    1500 is way too high for idle.  

    First thing first.  Disconnect the throttle control and run the engine.  See if it is the cable or if the engine is just idling high normally. 

    If it idles okay with the cable off: 
    Tighten down the head of the morse cable.  If that isn't enough, you can move the little bead connector on the engine farther aft.  There are 3 holes you can use.  Make sure that the throttle arm hits its stop with the throttle disconnected.  

    If it still revs high with the cable off: 
    Make sure the throttle arm is hitting both stops.  You'll want to check the idle screws to make sure no one has accidently tightened them.   

    As to the leaking "weeping" bolt...  Haul out now if you can.  I know it sucks and its a lot of extra unexpected work but you do not want that on your mind.  Fix it now, or at least find out for sure exactly what it is.  

    Just my 2 cents.  Good luck Mary!   

    PS, how did the depth sounder install go?  If you're interested we just installed a P79 shine through transducer and I can link you pics of our install. 


  • May 05, 2012 9:17 AM
    Reply # 912509 on 912040
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Rosemary:  My Beta 38 HP idles at about 850 to900 and seems about right.  I also have the single lever throttle/shifter set to shift into gear before the it's out of idle.

    On the leak, that is a very hard to reach area - I'm hoping that it's actually dribbling down from a higher and hopefully easier to reach area.  I would dry the whole area then leave blue paper towell under the whole shaft area for several hours - I find that the blue paper towels will show a drip location even if the paper drys out between drips. '

    Hope this helps and you don't have to pull the boat.

     

  • May 05, 2012 2:26 PM
    Reply # 912683 on 912040
    Deleted user
    Thanks guys - the idle adjusted easily - now at 850 and happy. We pulled her this afternoon - it's definitely coming from the lower bolt. We couldn't reach it - even with my long skinny fingers. I shoved some paper towel in there and concluded that the bolt could be the only thing that was leaking based on the water pattern on the towel.

    We've dried everything off and backed off the nuts and washer and caulked the hell out of it so now we're waiting until tomorrow to relaunch. On the up-side, the engine is beautiful and is purring like a large and well fed kitten. Everyone is impressed with the propwash - there were lots of heads nodding when I drove her to the slip yesterday.