I have a new to me 1981 O'Day 28 with Edson pedestal steering and engine controls and a Universal 5411. Is there supposed to be a spring somewhere that return the throttle lever back to the idle position after engine shut down? Where is that spring? I'm having a hard time determining exactly where is the idle position of the throttle lever.
O'day 28 engine controls
- Thread starter wing15601
- Start date
Welcome aboard. The 28 is a great boat. There is no spring that I am aware of. If there was the throttle would always be closing. The idle position is with the throttle lever all the way aft. If it will not stay in position you can tighten up the saddle clamp that is usually on the cable near the engine quarter berth access. While you are there make sure the steel plate holding the pedistal to the deck is not rusted.
it will be worth your time to read all 80 plus pages of old ask an o'day owner forum posts.
Good luck and smooth sailing.
it will be worth your time to read all 80 plus pages of old ask an o'day owner forum posts.
Good luck and smooth sailing.
Thank you for your response njlarry. The previous owner showed me the engine operation and to stop the running engine you pull the throttle lever all the way back. If you pull back very slowly the engine runs slower and slower, obviously starving for fuel until the lever is all the way back and the fuel is shut off. There have been instances I have been idling in a group of boats waiting for bridges to open and inadvertently pulled the throttle too far back causing the engine to die. Seems dangerous there isn't a positive stop or something so you know where idle position is for the throttle. I'm wondering if there is something on the engine.
Usually you stop the engine by closing off the air using a shut down lever that you pull out from the engine panel. If you have one then your throttle cable may need adjustment at the point it attaches to the engine and the throttle lever. You are right it could be a problem if it shuts down inadvertently.
It says in the Universal Motors Marine Diesel Owners Manual" for models 12, 15, etc, etc, (this is a model 15) under "Stopping the engine." "4. To stop engine on Models 15, 18, 20, 30 & 40, hold throttle lever in the back position against the spring loading until the engine stops. Then release the throttle from the stop position and throttle will return to the idle position". Well, I guess that answers the spring question. Now I wonder where it is.
here's one for reading the manual. Your universal is set up differently than mine. My guess is that the spring has to be either in the pedistal or at the throttle lever.
Sounds like it would be at the pivot plate:
pure speculation, but: Pull the lever back, compressing the spring to the stop position. The cable should then be adjusted so idle position is just touching the spring. voila? no? interesting setup. For a compression spring, there may simply be a post for it to rest on, a slot or small hole for tension spring.
pure speculation, but: Pull the lever back, compressing the spring to the stop position. The cable should then be adjusted so idle position is just touching the spring. voila? no? interesting setup. For a compression spring, there may simply be a post for it to rest on, a slot or small hole for tension spring.
The boat has just been shrink wrapped for the winter in St Joseph, Michigan. But it does have a small zippered door in the stern. It's starting to get cold here (I don't like cold) but I went inside to get the throttle and shift cables numbers to replace them next year. The throttle cable is connected to a plate which pivots around the throttle shaft. I found a spring wound around that shaft. I didn't have time or tools so I couldn't dig in but either the spring is broken or the way it is attached has come undone. I will have to deal with it next spring. Thank you for taking your time to help me with this problem.