M25 XP throttle trouble

[brassmeister]

Hi all,

1989 32-3 with Universal M25 XP. Today the throttle wouldn't return to idle, making it nearly impossible to shift the trans. The throttle bracket appears to have holes for a throttle return spring, and I was able to rig some zip ties and elastic to pull the throttle linkage back and the speed control plate back to the idle stop screw. It got us home. Looking at the Westerbeke parts list I don't see a spring for the throttle linkage, just for the governor. Is there a throttle return spring? Do the governor springs pull the throttle back to idle? Something I'm missing? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Christian Williams]

Welcome aboard the forum. Do you turn off your engine by pulling the throttle back beyond idle? (The alternative method is a kill cable).

I have a spring that provides resistance, so you don't turn the engine off accidentally, and which returns the throttle to idle.

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[brassmeister]

Thanks.

I have the later cockpit console with separate engine shutoff knob / pull. Unfortunately, I don't have pics right now. The problem I'm having is the throttle assembly on the engine won't come back down to idle despite the pedestal lever pulled all the way back.

 

[Christian Williams]

On my 32-3 I think that was controlled by the cable.

I would remove the throttle cable from the throttle and confirm the throttle has full range of motion.

If it does, you probably just need a new Teleflex (Morse) control cable. They wear out. Most of us have replaced the originals and the result is gratifying for smooth operation of shift and throttle.

 

[brassmeister]

Thanks!

I am able to manually return the throttle plate on the engine to idle. Do you happen to know a part number or where to buy a replacement control cable?

 

[Christian Williams]

Many threads in search. Here's one, which also contains link to photos of the pedestal take-apart required.

32-3 engine control routing

I’m blessed to have detailed (very detailed!) maintenance logs for my boat going back to when it was brand new and under routine professional care. One thing I’ve noticed as a recurring “issue” is the stiffness of the shift controls from the pedestal. I decided to do some digging, knowing that...

ericsonyachts.org

 

[brassmeister]

Great!

Thanks again. Very much appreciate the help and glad to have found this Exchange.

Sail safe and fun.