Does anyone know the timing setting on a 1994 Evinrude 200 XP? Can it be set using ear muffs, or should this be done in the water at different rpm's? Never had a big block v-6, and my so called expert neighbor adjusted the advance screw while I was warming up the motor to do a compression check (in the driveway with earmuffs). Wasn't sure when last time the plugs were changed, and thought I'd bring the motor up to normal warm temp. and also do a compression check, then change the plugs. I was called in the house for a couple of minutes ,and wanted him to watch the ear muffs.. When I came out... he said he fine tuned my idle...!! He had gotten on the retard / advance screw with the lock nut, and had no idea where he started, or ended up. My bad for leaving the boat with him for just a few minutes, but I was afraid the ear muffs could come off while warming up the motor. I know this might be a dumb question to most of you, but I enjoy and respect your input. Most of the Marine Co.�s are 3 - 4 weeks out (even to just set the timing), but I do not want to run this motor if it advanced too much. Should I have the idle stop, and the WOT checked, the carbs synced ? Not sure what all he tinkered with... The motor ran fine before this happened, just don�t to incure any damage!!! Again, thanks for your help!!! I know this might be a dumb question to most of you, but I enjoy and respect your input. Thanks again for your help!!!

Sounds like he only changed the idle timming but for piece of mind you might want to check total timming. You can do it on a cuff by manually moveing the timming arm to the stop for maximum timming at idle, check with timming light and set it -2 degrees of recommended timming. Do it in the water at the ramp with transom straps tight. You get maximum total timming before you get to full throttle in gear around 5,000 rpm so you do`nt have to firewall it. Watch the timming stop and when it gets their check with timming light and adjust to recommended timming for your motor. The idle timming is just that, only for setting idle rpms. Good Luck

Thanks Gary, he said it was only the idle timmig... but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Hypertex2