THROTTLE CABLE FROZE

[smilindave]

I've been having problems with the throttle cable sticking on my 425. Last week I went to start it and this time the throttle won't budge. Tried putting oil and WD 40, but still no movement. I even tried hitting the throttle with a hammer! Still nothing. Any ideas on where to get a new one? It's about 105 inches long. I tried all the local places and no one had one available. Any thoughts?

 

[Sparks45]

I've been having problems with the throttle cable sticking on my 425. Last week I went to start it and this time the throttle won't budge. Tried putting oil and WD 40, but still no movement. I even tried hitting the throttle with a hammer! Still nothing. Any ideas on where to get a new one? It's about 105 inches long. I tried all the local places and no one had one available. Any thoughts?

Is the throttle cable a typical wire-wrapped, plastic coated stiff wire cable? If so, here's a trick I learned to lube the throttle and shift cables (2 each) on my 1987 twin 350 inboard. Pick up ~12"-15" of plastic tubing with an ID that'll fit over the throttle cable, a tire valve stem and a couple of small screw hose clamps. Unhook both ends of the throttle cable and clamp one end of the tubing onto the upper end of the cable. Fill the tubing with Marvel Mystery Oil (or equivalent), stick in the valve stem and clamp it in place (tightly). Pump a bit of air into the tube through the valve stem. As the air forces the oil to flow into the throttle cable, add a bit more air. Go slowly, and lay the other open end of the cable on a rag. When the oil starts to ooze out of the cable, you've lubed it. It worked fine for me but YMMV.
Charlie

 

[washita]

I use motorcycle chain lube on my throttle cable and associated linkage, I tried several different lubes and unfortunately wd40 attracted lots of dust and aggravated the sticking situation

 

[Frank Sorbello]

I called PT the other day. Ordered a new throttle cable for my PT-422. $26 It comes with the lever.

 

[MossRoad]

That's reasonable.

 

[KentT]

That's reasonable.

Until you have to stock up on hydraulic filters or something to get to the $75 minimum order....

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Throttle cable and lever was $26 UPS shipping was $14. Total was $40 and change. Pleasantly surprised.

 

[KentT]

Frank, did they ship you just the cable? They keep telling me that there is a minimum $75 parts order...

Of course, coming up with $75 worth of stuff to order is usually not a problem, but it does send me to local hardware stores looking for alternatives, if I only need something minor...

 

[Frank Sorbello]

Hi Kent,

that was it. I didn't have to order anything else.

Frank

 

[KentT]

Wonder if it is because I bought my PT used? But, that's what they tell me, as recently as a few weeks ago when I ordered another QA plate for the Ingersoll/Case tiller I mounted for it...