225 Opti idle problem

This is for Don or anyone that might be able to help. I have a 2001 225 Opti with a hot foot. It starts and idles fine. But when I make a run and let off he gas, sometimes it goes down to 1200-1250 RPMs instead of round 650. Sometimes I can hit the hotfoot a coulple of times quuickly and it will idle down but not often.I took the hot foot apart and it doesn't seem to be hanging up and I disconnected the throttle at the engine and it seemed smooth. Someone told me it might be a valve in the engine bad. Ever heard that? Any help is appreciated.

Welcome to BBC! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

In order to determine the cause of your "high idle" condition, you're going to have to isolate whether it's a LINKAGE problem FIRST.

When the engine fails to idle down properly, SHUT IT DOWN, remove the hood, and check the throttle linkage arm on the PORT side of the engine (if you're in the boat looking back at the motor, this is to your RIGHT).

Make sure that the BOTTOM of the arm is pushed ALL they way back against the idle stop screw. If not.... the problem is likely in your hotfoot, or the throttle cable itself.

Most hotfoots have a spring tension adjustment, as well as "end-travel" stops. You may need to adjust one (or all) of these adjustments.

For proper operation, the throttle arm must return FIRMLY against it's stop EACH AND EVERY TIME the hotfoot is released. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

There are other possibilities.... report back with your "findings" and we'll go from there. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Thanks Don, I'll check out the throttle at the engine my next outing. When it is idleing high, the hotfoot will not come bace any further. I pull it back with my foot or hand and no change in rpms. So I'll check the throttle cable position. Just as eveyone on here says, you're a hugh source of info for us novices. Thanks again for the quick reply!

Just out of curiousity... do you have Smartcraft installed- and if so, are you reading FUEL LEVEL on your Smartcraft Instruments (important question, by the way)?

Yes I have the Smartcraft but it doesn't read fuel level.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Va Cobra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes I have the Smartcraft but it doesn't read fuel level.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good deal. Please disregard the question. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif