Don-Idle RPMs and h2o pressure???

[Pintail]

I have a 2002 225 EFI. I ran it today for the first time in a month a and half. I have taken all necessary precautions on letting it sit. Anyways, it fired right up first turn but then idled a little higher than usual. It was around 900+ rpms. It usually idles at 600. Also I noticed it was peeing lightly so I took my wire and unclog the hole. It was peeing normal but my gauge was reading 12 psi when it usually reads 4-5 psi at idle. It ran great and didn't miss a beat which was nice but at WOT the gauge was was reading 30 psi when usually it reads 23-25. Happy with its performance but curious of what could be going on with the high idle and high pressure reading???

[EuropeanAM]

First.... please verify that your water pressure gauge reads ZERO with the engine OFF.

If not.... a replacement water pressure gauge is in order (it has likely frozen due to water trapped in the gauge or line).

On a cold start, idle RPM's may be higher than normal. Did the RPMS "remain" at 900 throughout your day (each time you returned to idle), or was this limited to your first (or any other) "cold" startups?

[Pintail]

If I remember correctly, the pressure gauge was at zero. I will have to check it tomorrow though to verify. The RPMs did remain at 900 throughout my trip. However, I only ran a few miles up river and then came to an idle for a few minutes then turned it off. I cranked it back up a few minutes later and it was still at 900. Then I ran back downriver to the landing and let it idle for a few minutes and loaded it on the trailor.

[EuropeanAM]

Please do verify the "zero" reading on the water pressure gauge (very critical) with engine off. No sense in chasing "rabbits".

I'm not sure I'm comfortable taking your above post at "face value".... since it essentially indicates that you idled all the way up the river.... and all the way back. Is that really the case, or are you referring to it being at 900 RPM's each time you RETURNED to idle???

[Pintail]

I apologize for being vague with my last post. I meant to say I ran it at WOT up the river and came off plane down to an idle for a few minutes and it was still at 900 rpms. I fished a hole then cranked it back up and it was still at 900. I then ran it back to the landing at WOT and came off plane to an idle for a few minutes, still at 900 and then put it on the trailor. I was not able to make it to the boat today to check the pressure gauge. I will be by there tomorrow and let you know what I find. Thank you for your patience Don.

[EuropeanAM]

Since you'll be going to the boat to check the water pressure gauge, let's check something simple regarding your idle speed.

On the port or LEFT side of the engine, take a look at the BLACK throttle arm (this is the one the throttle cable coming into the cowling attaches to). At the bottom of this arm there is an IDLE STOP SCREW (DO NOT attempt to adjust it)- you're simply checking to ensure that the throttle control (or hotfoot) is returning the arm FULLY and FIRMLY against the stop screw (proper idle position).

If it's not, you could have something binding in your hotfoot (or "debris", such as hooks, lures, worms, leaves, twigs, etc)- the return spring could be too loose, the cable could be binding, or the cable may not be properly adjusted.

It is CRITICAL that the throttle arm be returned FIRMLY against the idle stop EVERY TIME the throttle or hotfoot is returned to the idle position.

[Pintail]

Finally able to get by the boat. Water pressure is stuck at 10 psi with the engine off. That means new gauge, correct?? I believe I'm overthinking the high rpms deal. It is still going into gear smoothly. I remove some debris from around the hotfoot and checked the throttle arm and seems to be proper.

[EuropeanAM]

Definitely going to need to replace the water pressure gauge.

If you have ANY question on the idle RPM's- have it checked. Elevated idle RPM's will contibute to premature gearcase wear and/or damage.

[Pintail]

Don, once again I appreciate your help. I will get right on that gauge and have the rpms checked out as well. Thanks again.