Afraid of the lake

[darrhal]

I have a 1973 Chrysler 90 hp outboard that I swear is afraid of lakes. When I start it up running it with a garden hose attached to it, it will run great. When I have it in a cattle tank, it still runs great. (And will for an extended period of time) But when I get it out to a lake and start it up, it will run for a few minutes and then dies and will not restart. Any ideas what might be going on here ? It had sat for quiet a few years without being ran prior to me getting it. It just can't be afraid of lakes, not here in Minnesota.
Also, know of any good Chrysler outboard mechanics in the Twin Cities area ?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[RRitt]

Re: Afraid of the lake

sounds like fuel to me. It takes more gas to push a boat than froth up a barrel. check fuel supply route ... tank breather, hoses, ball pump, filter, pump, carb floats, bottom of tank, etc. etc.

 

[rndn]

Re: Afraid of the lake

I had an old evinrude with a similar problem. My impeller was bad and after I ran it with a garden hose for awhile after that the impeller would work fine because the water was forced into the motor with the hose pressure. When the motor quits, pull the cover and if it's hot then your not cooling down the motor. If it's been 10 years or more since the impeller was replaced, it's due now anyway. Hope this helps.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Afraid of the lake

If it has set that long the carbs must be rebuilt.

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Afraid of the lake

If it has set that long the carbs must be rebuilt.

And likely, the fuel pump also.

 

[darrhal]

Re: Afraid of the lake

Would it run ok in the tank or even with a hose attached if the carbs or fuel pump or impeller were bad ?

 

[RRitt]

Re: Afraid of the lake

Would it run ok in the tank or even with a hose attached if the carbs or fuel pump or impeller were bad ?

it could.
for example let's say that 5000rpm in tank burns 1 gal per hour and 3000rpm on water burns 10 gals per hour. if you have a 5gal/hr restriction then it'll run great but die on water when float bowl goes empty. same thing goes with cooling.

but here's the thing ... it should start right back up if you pump the bulb and refill carbs. if it is overheating then the buzzer should go off. maybe your buzzer is broken? next time it conks out definitely take a moment to check engine temp. melted engines are never good.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Afraid of the lake

First of all, it's not afraid of the lake, it's allergic to water. I had one just like it.

First question: When it stalls will it crank over and not start or will it not crank for a while and then crank over? If this is so, check the wires going under the flywheel. They are not adequately secured. Frequently they will touch and rub on the underside of the flywheel and short out the breaker. This only takes a second. Nothing on the engine will work. After the breaker cools and resets, the engine will crank and run. This may only happen on the water because the RPM and vibration level is higher. There may not be enough vibration in the tank to cause the wires to pop up and touch the flywheel.

And of course, with an engine that ols that has been sitting for that long, you will want to replace the fuel pump diaphragm and water pump impeller on general principles. Also, clean out carbs because you may have dried residue in the bowls and passages. I found that WD40 works almost immediately.