Stiff throttle - how to investigate?

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RJJ

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Hi, I would welcome advice on investigating and fixing stiff throttle / gear changes. It's Volvo D2 55 on a 130 saildrive.

The throttle was always quite stiff. Yesterday I happened to try giving it an tweak after six months on the hard and it took significant oomph to shift it. Yesterday was antifoul day so I haven't investigated further.

I suppose it could be the lever or the cables or (worst case) something more fundamental at the gearbox.

Is it worth stripping and lubing the cables? Or just change them for (based on Gael Force) looks like about £40 each?

Any other thoughts? Thanks!
 
Disconnect the cable at the engine and see whether that makes a difference. If not disconnect at the lever and try again. If it is easy then replace the cable. The control units do seize up sometimes so don't rule that out plus don't forget that it may be a problem on the engine linkage or a combination of all three. Most cables seem to be 'sealed' for life. I managed to ease one years ago but it only last a few months.
 
Check that the sliding rod end of the cable is not bent
the cable should pull to open
get a copy of the installation instructions as it’s important that you take into account the lost motion required to allow the initial movement of engaging gear before applying throttle
 
I had stiff cables on my RIB.
I used motorcyclists' method of hanging them up with a funnel of oil at the top, a lot of rusty mess came out the bottom and they work really sweetly now.
 
Have changed these on several boats over the years. They get rusty and dirty inside. Trying to free them up, as IW mentions, can sometimes work. But I was always on a time schedule so replacement was easier. I think I can rebuild the throttle pod blindfold..... also a site of dirt and corrosion.

Its all very basic engineering and nothing to worry about- apart from your wallet!
 
RJJ said:
Boat new to us last year. Not something I asked about. And to be honest not something I knew about! What do you recommend? Thanks
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So lets assume it has never been serviced. (retired engineer mutters about preventative maintenance)

Open up the box of gubbins at the throttle and lubricate with a good penetrating oil, e.g. Three-In-One, and let that run down the cable. If that fixes it then a light grease after you have removed all the spiders webs and reassemble. Repeat annually.
 
Sandy said:
So lets assume it has never been serviced. (retired engineer mutters about preventative maintenance)

Open up the box of gubbins at the throttle and lubricate with a good penetrating oil, e.g. Three-In-One, and let that run down the cable. If that fixes it then a light grease after you have removed all the spiders webs and reassemble. Repeat annually.
Click to expand...
Good shout, thanks, let's give that a go.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. So the cables and gearbox end both seem fine. The problem, if anywhere, is in the throttle control (pictured). Now I have taken it off and worked it a few times, it's working as last year but still a bit stiff - compared to all other boats I have sailed.

Choices now:
- live with it and reassemble
- replace at cost of around £200 ?
- my preference, take it apart and see if I can grease it, or if the sub-components are worn.

So in terms of the latter, has anyone taken this thing to bits? The plastic cover unclips in four places and moves a bit, but it looks as though the whole thing is somehow fixed in the middle.
 
Many single lever controls have an adjustment screw which varies the friction. Is there any chance that fiddling with this might help? Is yours a Vetus control?

Otherwise, single lever controls are generally not intended to be user-serviceable. If you can get it dismantled, you'll find that there are levers inside with pins which run in a curved channel. Adding grease here might help.
 
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Even if you do get it temprarily sorted, it's worth getting a spare for later. When it does die you are unlikely to be near a chandlery or marine engineer or it will be 5 mins after they close for a long weekend.
If the throttle cable is dodgy, worth checking the gearbox one as well.
 
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