1989 Evinrude 88hp SPL: Start at high idle, stall at low idle

[myadvice]

I have a 1989 Evinrude 88hp SPL. I can get it to start only at a high idle (about 2000 rpms), when lever is moved to low idle the motor stalls. Replaced fuel hose and bulb. Found some debris at the fuel pump screen. Cleaned the screen. Pulled the plugs. The plug in the top starboard cylinder was fouled. Replaced the plug. Runs a little bit smoother, but still have the same problem.

Checked spark. It?s daylight so I can?t tell real well how strong the spark is, but on all four cylinders was able to notice a blue spark jumping about ?? on a spark tester.

Checked compression. Starboard side: 118 Top, 110 Bottom. Port side: 115 Top, 120 Bottom.

After compression check, engine turned over in low idle than stalled. This seems to tell me that the engine is getting inadequate fuel at low idle. Anything to check besides the carburetors? I was told that the prior owner did not use the engine much, only a couple of times a year.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1989 Evinrude 88hp SPL: Start at high idle, stall at low idle

Time for a carb rebuild. Be sure to remove the core plugs and clean out the idle jets.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1989 Evinrude 88hp SPL: Start at high idle, stall at low idle

you need one of these to remove the jets, http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s311/frankr_photos/FixedJetScrewdriver2.jpg?t=1177353186 can make one from a screwdriver.

 

[myadvice]

Re: 1989 Evinrude 88hp SPL: Start at high idle, stall at low idle

Invited father in law over to help and I think we figured it out. We turned the red switch on the primer solenoid completely clockwise. It also looked like one of the hoses to the solenoid was a little loose, so we pushed it in a little more. After the motor warmed a little, we were able to place it into low idle and it did not stall! Put a can of sea foam in the fuel tank and took it to the river for about an hour. Seemed to run OK, except that the RPM?s would bounce around a little bit. At wide open throttle, RPM?s would vary between 4800 and 5400. So it looks like I can put off cleaning the carbs for a little while....

Now a couple of additional questions:
1) What exactly does the red switch on the primer solenoid do? (The Clymer manual that I have does not say.)
2) Is it normal for RPMS to bounce around?

 

[rolmops]

Re: 1989 Evinrude 88hp SPL: Start at high idle, stall at low idle

The red handle enables you to manually open and close the fuel enrichener.
It is not really a primer solenoid.The red handle should be completely closed.
When starting the engine turn the key to "on" and push it in for a few seconds.Then turn it to start this should get you enough extra fuel to start her up.