adjusting small outboard

[jimmie]

After years of rowing a small inflatable tender I've succumbed and bought a small 3.3 mariner outboard, being completely non mechanical whats the best way to adjust the tickover rate, I've turned the screw this way and then the other and everything I do just seems to make it wiorse! There must be a method of doing it rather than my hit & miss approach! Can anybody help me?

 

[blue_anchor]

hi.only two screws to worry about(the easy bit!)firstengine off,check fuel lines for supply,dirt and air insystem,twist the throttle,see the cable linkage at the carb..make sure it runs smoothly and,when the throttle is closed,the lever is resting closed,via the vertical screw(cable adjuster),in case youve a frayed/sticking cable..second,find the pilot screw(thats the one also with the spring around it in front and above, its horizontal),screw gently in till it stops,and then out one and a half to two turns,as a baseline..start the motor,in water!!wait till its warm,and only then,gently turn that pilot screw in and out until it sounds happy on closed throttle,lastly,set the tickover rate on the vertical screw.hope it works.now the harder bit,if its an old engine,slow tickover may be difficult,especially if neglected..could be airleak from the carb gasket,needle valve,and dirty jets,all actually easy to fix.go to<small outboards+ mastertech>on google,etc.good luck!!