Idle speed

[backlash 1]

I have a 2003 Yamaha 60 hp 4-stroke. It idles in forward at about 800 rpm (2.3mph).

Dealer checked and said idle speed is right. If I turn the idle speed down myself, am I going to create other problems maybe? This model has 4 carbs. Or just throw out a bag to slow down.

Thanks

[Scott K]

It seems high to me , I was thinking 550-600 rpm.

[iffy]

If the carbs are clean, adjusted properly and synched correctly you should be able to idle in gear at 500 rpm.

[norm]

That motor shouldn't have any problem trolling down to about 600-650 rpm but I would bet that 800 RPM is vary close to manufacturer specification. The problem you run into doing it yourself is throwing the carbs out of synchronization. any shop could hook up a vacuum gauge to it and reduce the idle in only a few minutes but i wouldn't reccommend doing it yourself.

[Surface Tension]

Yuu should be able to adjust idle speed before the carbs leaving the sync alone.

[iffy]

Yes you should be able to set the idle leaving the sync alone. But sync does change slightly as you lower the speed. To get the lowest possible speed (500 rpm) requires everything to be set exactly right. That starts with your idle jets, then synchronizing as you lower the speed. In my experience there were few to none of them adjusted and synched exactly right from the factory. If they seem to run good enough at 800 rpm many dealers just send them out the door. Yamaha does recommend 800 and thats why. Its easier to achieve.

[Surface Tension]

iffy, your probably right in that the carbs aren't tweaked at the factory. That and after break in stuff changes.

[backlash 1]

The mech did a sink and link(???) when I had it in, with no noticable improvement. I think i'll just turn it down a little, keeping track of how many turns I move it, in case I have to move it back. Thanks guys.

[marine_man]

I don't think I'd target 500 rpm. 600 rpm at best. The big difference between a 4 stroke and a 2 stroke is you need more momentum to keep a 4 stroke running, and idling it down past 600 is going to be tough - like someone else said, for you to get that low everything else has to be set just right.

Pay close attention when you adjust it so you can get back to where you started from.

Good Luck!

marine_man