How to Get a Boat Motor to Run Better in High Elevation

There's less oxygen in the atmosphere at higher elevations. This means that an outboard motor that's not adjusted for those elevations won't run well because the fuel/air mixture is too rich -- too much fuel and not enough oxygen. While the fuel mixture is controlled by the motor's electronic control unit -- its computerized "brain" -- you can make one adjustment to fine-tune the way your outboard motor runs at higher elevations without making a trip to the dealer.

Things You'll Need

  • Needle nose pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the needle valve stem from the carburetor's needle jet. Locate the E-clip that's positioned in the second groove of the valve stem.

    • 2

      Remove the E-clip, using a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it from the groove.

    • 3

      Reposition the E-clip in the third groove of the valve stem. Thread the valve stem back into the carburetor's needle jet.

    • 4

      Go boating, to observe the motor's performance under actual operating conditions. If the motor needs further adjustment, remove the needle valve again and move the E-clip to the fourth groove from the tip of the needle.