Searched the archives for problems with throttle cables and found a good selection of advice. My throttle was extremely stiff to move up or down. In particular, mine was sticking and once throttled up, would not throttle back down completely, leaving the engine at higher RPM as we headed toward the slip. It happened at the end of last season, so I had a chance to look through the archives over the winter and prepare to replace the cable and follow the other advice from the archives. I detached the cable at the transmission box at the engine yesterday and....what's this? The cable was quite limber and happy to move freely. It turns out the small arm that connects into the transmission at the engine was as stiff as an old man's back. It all but refused to move. A couple of shots of CorrosionX (or probably any good lubicant) got the arm moving nicely (wish the same could be said for my back). Reconnected the cable, and all is good. Just thought I'd throw it out there in case anyone has come across a similar problem. Never thought of it as part of regular maintenance but curious if others have run into it too. For the sake of a drop of oil, it saved me from a far bigger chore. Paul
Problems with Sticky Throttle Cable - NOT
- Thread starter PHitchcox
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Similar Problem...
...with throttle cable. I had the problem with the throttle arm at the engine end. It froze completely when the raw water hose from the heat exchanger leaked and dripped right down on the arm. I first thought it was the cable, too. I tried WD-40 and lots of elbow grease to free it, but didn't have too much success. Talked to the yard Asst Mgr and his advice was to spray it with PB Blaster (penetrating oil), let it sit overnight and then to check it. Did so and it was perfect. Then he advise to spray it with spray white lithium grease (which car dealers use on car hinges - then it gelled) and this would form a protective barrier from moisture. I bought both at a local automotive store. That was 5 years ago and no problems since. I did change the raw water hose, too, to eliminate the drip problem. Now, I give it a shot annually at commission time to prevent further occurrence.
...with throttle cable. I had the problem with the throttle arm at the engine end. It froze completely when the raw water hose from the heat exchanger leaked and dripped right down on the arm. I first thought it was the cable, too. I tried WD-40 and lots of elbow grease to free it, but didn't have too much success. Talked to the yard Asst Mgr and his advice was to spray it with PB Blaster (penetrating oil), let it sit overnight and then to check it. Did so and it was perfect. Then he advise to spray it with spray white lithium grease (which car dealers use on car hinges - then it gelled) and this would form a protective barrier from moisture. I bought both at a local automotive store. That was 5 years ago and no problems since. I did change the raw water hose, too, to eliminate the drip problem. Now, I give it a shot annually at commission time to prevent further occurrence.
throttle arm
I spray the linkage with white lithium every fall and spring, and it keeps everything clean and lubed. Ditto for the engine shutoff cable
I spray the linkage with white lithium every fall and spring, and it keeps everything clean and lubed. Ditto for the engine shutoff cable
The throttle cable connected to the transmission?
The transmission selector is connected to the transmission and the throttle is connected to the engine throttle linkage. I don't grasp how lubricating one fixed the problem on the other. Please explaine.
The transmission selector is connected to the transmission and the throttle is connected to the engine throttle linkage. I don't grasp how lubricating one fixed the problem on the other. Please explaine.
cable
Some controls use a single lever, and operate both throttle and shifter through seperate cables, one cable messing up will make everything hard to use. Mine has seperate controls, so I know which is causing any problems. Ken.
Some controls use a single lever, and operate both throttle and shifter through seperate cables, one cable messing up will make everything hard to use. Mine has seperate controls, so I know which is causing any problems. Ken.
Clarification
I appreciate Landsend's request for clarification - I'm not very good with the right technicial term. I am talking about the throttle arm sticking, not the transmission. My point was that a sticky cable, be it throttle or transmission selector, may be the cable, or it may be what the cable is connected to. Obvious to others, wasn't to me. And it certainly meant an easier solution in my case. Sounds like a drop of lithium each year is preventative mainenance too.
I appreciate Landsend's request for clarification - I'm not very good with the right technicial term. I am talking about the throttle arm sticking, not the transmission. My point was that a sticky cable, be it throttle or transmission selector, may be the cable, or it may be what the cable is connected to. Obvious to others, wasn't to me. And it certainly meant an easier solution in my case. Sounds like a drop of lithium each year is preventative mainenance too.
Another
Another point of problems may occur in the shift controls at the pedistal. My Edsion uses delrin bushings which in time may swell thus making the throttle or shifter very stiff. I tried lithium grease without success, replaced the throttle bushing and it works fine.
Another point of problems may occur in the shift controls at the pedistal. My Edsion uses delrin bushings which in time may swell thus making the throttle or shifter very stiff. I tried lithium grease without success, replaced the throttle bushing and it works fine.
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