[C320-list] Frozen Throttle Lever

[Adam Weiner]

Just went through this with the Perkins.  The issue was not the engine
but the connection inside the lever on the Edson pedestal.  The lever
had been getting stiffer and stiffer to the point that I was concerned I
wouldn't be able to shift it.  The heart part was drilling out the screw
that holds the lever in place.  The old screw was corroded, and we are
trying to find a new stainless replacement.  We just have a regular
screw holding it in place.  For more details please contact my dear
friend who did the repairs craigeneboe at aol.com

Adam

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Irving Grunes
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 7:56 PM
To: 'C320-List'
Subject: [C320-list] Frozen Throttle Lever


Hi

 

We had a frozen throttle lever problem on our Yanmar 3GM30.  The report
below is from one of our boat partners.  

 

Has any one else experienced this problem?

 

Irv Grunes  2001 #851

----------------------

Throttle Lever Problem

My friend Dave and I went to the boat on Wednesday.  After pulling out
of the slip, we immediately noticed that the throttle control was frozen
and stuck at idle.  We returned to the slip, which was tricky since
reverse at idle did not slow the boat very much.

 

After taking off the engine covers, we determined that the problem was
not the cable, but the "speed lever" on the engine.  This is the lever
on the engine that is attached to the cable and controls the speed.
According to the Diesel Shop Manual, the governor controls are connected
to the speed lever, so there is quite a bit of hidden complexity in that
control.  The speed lever was completely frozen and could not be moved.
After detailed inspection, Dave noticed that there was corrosion at the
point where the lever connected to the engine.  We applied WD-40 and
slight tapping and we were eventually able to free the lever.  We then
applied oil to the connection.  The throttle control then worked
normally, with a full range of speed.  Fortunately, we were able to sail
for the rest of the day and had no further problems.  

 

It seems to me that this problem cropped up in the last two weeks and
got progressively worse.  Why this would suddenly occur in a 6 year old
boat seems a mystery.  It's possible that the lever froze for some
reason other than corrosion and the tapping freed it.