1984 Evinrude 115 help

[shooter441]

Hi all! I'm new here and I have a question.
I just purchased a boat with a 1984 115 Evinrude V4 on it. Today was the first time I have taken it out and at first it ran great...although it was a little hard to start. When it did start it seemed to take forever for it to warm up. When it did get going it was all fun until it started bogging out and cutting back like I was messing with the throttle, but I had not touched it. It would try to take back off then it would bog out again. I tried putting it in idle and it would do ok...then I tried to choke it and it would seem to clear up for a few minutes then start all over again.
Is this bad gas?
Oh and by the way..I'm self mixing the fuel at 50:1 as the VRO has been removed.
Thanks for any help you can give a boating newbie!

 

[Walker]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

Probably fouled carbs.

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

main cause of hard cold start: improper starting procedures.

pump primer bulb til firm
lift hi-idle lever full up
turn key to "on" and push to prime, holding for 5 or 8 seconds
turn key to "start" until the engine starts

If you don't know how old the gas is, I'd recommend draining the tank.
But your symptoms are as walker says, typical of fouled carbs caused by contaminated fuel or else a long period of non-use. Remove, disassemble, soak overnight in carb cleaner, shoot aerosol carb cleaner through all the passages or compressed air if you have it, reassemble with new carb kits, reinstall, link & sync.

Highly recommend a repair manual, will pay for itself many times over. kencook.com has your original factory shop manual.

If you don't know the age of the water pump impeller, recommend changing that as well, then every 2 or 3 years thereafter.

welcome to iboats!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

time for a carb rebuild, and if you don't know when the impeller was last change, time for an impeller, before you get stranded, or worst burn it up.

 

[shooter441]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

Another question....should I be able to squeeze the bulb much when the motor is running? I seem to be able to squeeze it fairly easy when I get the rpms up some.

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

I'd say, closer to a tennis ball than a raquet ball.

Did squeezing the bulb while it was faltering cause it to run better?

 

[licketdsplit756]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

kencook.com doesent work under construction. shooter i have the same motor. mine a 1985 johnson 115.sat for 3 yrs..was the carbs..me not being so mechanical inclined paid 120 dollars per carb was worth it.

 

[jtexas]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

Go to www.kencook.com
In the lower right hand corner click on 'outboard manuals'
Follow the links to your model number.

These carburetors are remarkably simple devices and well within the scope of the average do-it-yourselfer.

good luck.............

 

[snipe401]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

I have a Johnson 110 that was acting the same way. Turned out to be a bad fuel pump. When you disengage the VRO system it seems to put strain on the fuel pump. (VRO pump and fuel pump being encased in one). Remove the old fuel/Vro pump and install the old style single pump. Problem should be gone.

The old style fuel pump apparently works by vacume. (no electric plug). Fits just in front the starter, against the block. You should have a brass plug blocking it up now, with two threaded holes (one on either side). Just take the old pump off. (Don't be afraid, it's not that hard). Mount the new (old style pump) on the engine and re-route all your fuel lines to fit. (Line from fuel tank to the "in" side, line to carbs to the "out").

The old pump is much larger than the old style one you'll be replacing it with. The new pump won't have any electric hookups either. Hard to believe the old style (about the size of a deck of cards), with two fittings (one for fuel in, one for fuel out) can replace all that you'll be taking off. Especially since it's not mounted in the same place. However, it works. Trust me, I re-did mine not long ago. Runs great now.

Starts faster, even seems to run better. Maybe I was just used to the way it was running before, when the pump was going bad. Good to go now though. Good luck.

 

[shooter441]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

Well so far I have replaced all my fuel lines, got a new tank..and it's still doing the same thing.
I spoke with the guy I bought the boat from (I trust him..he works with me)and the carbs were rebuilt about 3 weeks ago. His brother works at the shop who did the work and showed me the receipt.
Only thing I can figure is the fuel pump must be going bad. Gonna try that next.

 

[shooter441]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

HOORAY! Replaced the fuel pump and she ran like a champ all day!
Thanks for all the help folks! I would have been lost without it!

 

[FishArizona]

Re: 1984 Evinrude 115 help

Shooter,

Just purchased an 84 Ranger with the same motor...Im curious about what kind of top speeds youre getting...Im hoping to get in the 50's....she's in for a tune right now. Thanks!