My throttle cable has always been very stiff to move forward (increase rpms). I have the Yanmar 3GM30F engine. Recently it froze up completely. The mechanic I use looked at it and said it was frozen at the engine. He lubricated it and said it's fine. It's still impossible to push the handle forward unless you put your hand through the wheel and push very hard. I called the mechanic back and he claims that's the way it's supposed to be, that Yanmar's have a cable brake to keep the throttle from sliding back to the idle position. Moving back to idle is not a problem, it's increasing the speed. The boat is pretty unusable as it is since you can't make small throttle adjustments which are required to get out of a tight slip. Does anyone have any comments and/or suggestions?
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Miles
Not normal
It really shouldn't be THAT hard to push forward. There is a fine line between having too little resistance in which case the throttle slips back by itself and having too much. Sounds like something is wrong with yours though. The cable might have some corrosion or perhaps the cable clamp is too tight. Somewhere along the length of the cable (probably up by the control levers) you'll find a clamp that might be too tight. If you really have to lean on it I'd be worried it might break at a bad moment... If need be you can have the whole cable replaced. Good luck, perhaps a second opinion from another mechanic...
It really shouldn't be THAT hard to push forward. There is a fine line between having too little resistance in which case the throttle slips back by itself and having too much. Sounds like something is wrong with yours though. The cable might have some corrosion or perhaps the cable clamp is too tight. Somewhere along the length of the cable (probably up by the control levers) you'll find a clamp that might be too tight. If you really have to lean on it I'd be worried it might break at a bad moment... If need be you can have the whole cable replaced. Good luck, perhaps a second opinion from another mechanic...
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Pat Spino
Throttle cable
Sharon, The cable is probably made by Morse. They are supposed to have a tension clamp installed on the cable as your mechanic said. However, that clamp may be a bit too tight. Track it down and try loosening it, SLIGHTLY. Also, lubrication of the cable is not only in order but I believe is recommended. I would guess that removal of the cable is necessary to accomplish this. Contact Morse and check on this proceedure. This is one of those maintainence items that rarely gets done until there is a problem. Maybe I should get to mine!! PAT
Sharon, The cable is probably made by Morse. They are supposed to have a tension clamp installed on the cable as your mechanic said. However, that clamp may be a bit too tight. Track it down and try loosening it, SLIGHTLY. Also, lubrication of the cable is not only in order but I believe is recommended. I would guess that removal of the cable is necessary to accomplish this. Contact Morse and check on this proceedure. This is one of those maintainence items that rarely gets done until there is a problem. Maybe I should get to mine!! PAT
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Ron Dague
Careful about lubricating cables
All of the suggestions are good ones, except be careful about lubricating a cable. (sorry Pat!) 1) It is almost impossibe to really lubricate more than just the first couple of inches, without taking the cable out. And if you have to remove it, it is easier to replace! and 2) Many cable manufacturers say DO NOT LUBRICATE! I replaced my cable on my h34, also a 3GM30F engine, and was about to lubricate the new cable before installing. I read the instructions first (and no, I don't ask for directions when I get lost!) which said do not lubricate. Apparently some cables use dry lubricants and oil can only collect dirt, water and otherwise screw them up. After replacing my cable, it is too loose, requiring the J-clamp or "tennis ball" solution....but that's another story. Ron Dague S/V Finesse, h34 www.ExploreScuba.com
All of the suggestions are good ones, except be careful about lubricating a cable. (sorry Pat!) 1) It is almost impossibe to really lubricate more than just the first couple of inches, without taking the cable out. And if you have to remove it, it is easier to replace! and 2) Many cable manufacturers say DO NOT LUBRICATE! I replaced my cable on my h34, also a 3GM30F engine, and was about to lubricate the new cable before installing. I read the instructions first (and no, I don't ask for directions when I get lost!) which said do not lubricate. Apparently some cables use dry lubricants and oil can only collect dirt, water and otherwise screw them up. After replacing my cable, it is too loose, requiring the J-clamp or "tennis ball" solution....but that's another story. Ron Dague S/V Finesse, h34 www.ExploreScuba.com
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SteveC
Get another 'mechanic'...
if the cable moves back to idle smoothly it should advance smoothly. Sounds like the guy doesn't want to be bothered...
if the cable moves back to idle smoothly it should advance smoothly. Sounds like the guy doesn't want to be bothered...
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Gary Wyngarden
Throttle Cable
Sharon, I had the identical problem last year on my 335 which also has a Yanmar 3gm30f. I could bring the throttle back easily, but increasing the throttle was at first difficult, then impossible. The culprit turned out to be the clamp on the starboard side of the engine block. The throttle cable is clamped on both ends and the cable moves back and forth through the sheathing that is held in place by the clamps. In my case the clamp had loosened enough to allow the sheathing to move outside the clamp. When I moved the throttle control, the sheathing was being blocked by the clamp and the engine speed was unaffected. It was a simple repair but I had to buy a very stubby screwdriver. I loosened the clamp, put the sheathing back in place, and then tightened the clamp down again. It's worked like a charm ever since. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Sharon, I had the identical problem last year on my 335 which also has a Yanmar 3gm30f. I could bring the throttle back easily, but increasing the throttle was at first difficult, then impossible. The culprit turned out to be the clamp on the starboard side of the engine block. The throttle cable is clamped on both ends and the cable moves back and forth through the sheathing that is held in place by the clamps. In my case the clamp had loosened enough to allow the sheathing to move outside the clamp. When I moved the throttle control, the sheathing was being blocked by the clamp and the engine speed was unaffected. It was a simple repair but I had to buy a very stubby screwdriver. I loosened the clamp, put the sheathing back in place, and then tightened the clamp down again. It's worked like a charm ever since. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
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Pat Spino
Lubricating Cable: Ron is right
Ron is correct...sorry for the misinformation. The lubrication of cables is for the Engine Stop Cable on the Yanmar. Alzheimer's is setting in. PAT
Ron is correct...sorry for the misinformation. The lubrication of cables is for the Engine Stop Cable on the Yanmar. Alzheimer's is setting in. PAT
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Mickey Goodman
Throttle Cable Problims
I had the exact same problem. My problem was not the cable but the throttle lever on the engine. Take the throttle cable off the lever on the engine. Then move the throttle cable at the pedistal. If the cable then moves freely your problem is with the throttle lever on the engine. If it is the lever on the engine then you need some WD40 and a vise grip. Spray the point where the rod the throttle lever goes into the engine and work the lever back and fourth; use a vise grip if you can't do it by hand. My lever was so frozen that I could not move it without a vise grip. Spray and move, spray and move! After about 20 minutes everything worked great where I could easily move the lever by hand. I intend to periodically spray the lever to keep it free moving. If your problem is not in the lever than you need to follow the advice the other folks have given. You didn't say how old your boat is. I spoke to Edson about the cables since I broke one previously and had to replace it. According to Edson you should be replacing the cable every ten years, thats what they say is the useful life of a cable. I replace both my throttle cable and my shift cable at the same time. If you decide to replace your cables call Edson and they will send you an instruction manual as to how to replace the cables. Good luck.
I had the exact same problem. My problem was not the cable but the throttle lever on the engine. Take the throttle cable off the lever on the engine. Then move the throttle cable at the pedistal. If the cable then moves freely your problem is with the throttle lever on the engine. If it is the lever on the engine then you need some WD40 and a vise grip. Spray the point where the rod the throttle lever goes into the engine and work the lever back and fourth; use a vise grip if you can't do it by hand. My lever was so frozen that I could not move it without a vise grip. Spray and move, spray and move! After about 20 minutes everything worked great where I could easily move the lever by hand. I intend to periodically spray the lever to keep it free moving. If your problem is not in the lever than you need to follow the advice the other folks have given. You didn't say how old your boat is. I spoke to Edson about the cables since I broke one previously and had to replace it. According to Edson you should be replacing the cable every ten years, thats what they say is the useful life of a cable. I replace both my throttle cable and my shift cable at the same time. If you decide to replace your cables call Edson and they will send you an instruction manual as to how to replace the cables. Good luck.
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Len Dietch
Throttle effort problem
Your steering pedestal incorporates a throttle "brake" and this may be causing your problem. To access the brake adjustment remove the compass and housing. The brake adjusting screw is exposed, and the friction or braking action is adjusted with the screw. Also, you may contact Edson for advise on this adjustment.
Your steering pedestal incorporates a throttle "brake" and this may be causing your problem. To access the brake adjustment remove the compass and housing. The brake adjusting screw is exposed, and the friction or braking action is adjusted with the screw. Also, you may contact Edson for advise on this adjustment.
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