6hp Fisherman Won't Start

[James BUK]

Hello ,
I have just purchased a 6hp Evinrude Fisherman, 6602, which I think is a 1966. I tied to start her but no luck. So, I checked for spark and both cylinders have a strong spark. Still no luck. I took the carb off, took it apart, checked for gunge and deposits and then put back again, still no luck.

I think my problem might be compression. I can turn the engine over by spinning the flywheel with my thumb - not a lot of resistance. If I take a spark plug out and turn the engine over with my thumb in the spark plug hole I feel very little compression. I can see both cylinders moving inside the cylinder however.

Any idea where I should go now? Has the engine had it? A couple of points to mention - I did get a "bang" which sounded like a large misfire when I tried to start her near the end of this attempt; also, the cylinders and plugs don't seem to have damp fuel in them after all my trying - I would think after that many goes the cylinders and plugs would be damp with oil/petrol mix?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hear good things about these engines and they look wonderfully made.

Thansks,

James

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

Regardless of how clean you think the carburetor is, make sure that you manually clean (with a piece of single strand wire) the fixed brass high speed jet that's located in the bottom center portion of the carburetor float chamber.

That jet clogs easily on the small engines. Fuel must pass thru that jet before it can obtain access to any other fuel passage.

If still no luck after cleaning that jet, assuming that all carbuuretor gaskets are still okay, remove the cylinder head to check the head gasket.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

You will need to keep the choke completely closed until the motor fires when the engine is not warmed up. First, be sure to pump the primer bulb enough to fill the float bowl at the bottom of the carburetor.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

James, Welcome to iboats!

Well. you have some issues.
The little or no compression on both cylinders could be a blown head gasket. Doing a compression test on both cylinders is a more accurate way to test compression. It's not a hard thing to remove the head and have a peek at the piston tops and cylinder walls too. Is there evidence (discolored paint) on the head to indicate overheating? The bang or backfire from the motor points to a sheared flywheel key. You would use a harmonic balancer type flywheel remover to remove the flywheel and inspect to crankshaft key. If the woodruff key is sheared or partially sheared , the motor's timing is off. Again, replacement of the key isn't a hard job.
At this point, a factory repair manual for your motor is a must have. The repairs I mention are clearly outlined within. Lay down until the feeling goes way if you think about buying a 3rd party service manual...the OEM version addresses your motor only.

 

[James BUK]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

Thank you. I am fairly confident the Carb is OK - I am surprised my plugs are dry though.....

I think my next step is to take the cylinder head off. There is no sign of overheating though....
I have tried to look for a manual, but here in the UK, I think they are more hard to come by? I take your point about making sure it is OEM.

I will also try and take the flywheel off, but do not have a removal tool, so if anybody had dome without, I would be pleased to hear.
Thanks so far.
James

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

No other way to remove the flywheel.

Harmonic balancer pullers are fairly cheap. Be sure the tapers are clean and dry and torque the flywheel to spec on reinstallation. This is important.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

before you pull the head check the compression. I have had a couple of those older 6hp motors. While the carb will appear clean and probably is if they have not been rebuilt with a new kit then the float needle is probably sticking shut. The newer kits have a different needle that a small spring attaches to help pull the needle down.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

The bad news is that your motor won't run. The good news is that these little motors are about as simple as simple gets.

I would just go throught the steps. Check the compression - in this motor you aren't going to get high numbers. I wouldn't be unhappy to get 70 psi. Pulling the head and replacing the head gasket is actually a recommeded tuneup item for your motor. If you do this, clean the carbon off of the piston crowns and the inside of the head while you have it apart. Be sure to torque the head down to factory specs at reassembly, and after a few hours of running. When tightening down the headbolts, do it in a star pattern rather than working your way around the head. This will pull the head down evenly and won't "ripple" the head gasket.

You mentioned that you are getting spark but I would pull the flywheel anyway to set and possibly replace the points. If you see any cracks in the coils at all, replace them. And, if you replace the points, do the condensors at the same time just because it is easy and they are cheap. Don't use anything other than a harmonic type puller - using a gear puller can break your aluminum flywheel. Set the points by replacing the crankshaft nut and turning the crank (clockwise) with a socket/breaker bar. You will see "top" and a little triangle embossed on the crank cam, but the high point in the cam is not exactly at the triangle mark. Be sure to set the gap (.020 but some people like .022) at the highest point on the cam. Clean the crankshaft taper and the inside of the flywheel of any oil/grease before reassembly, and check the manual for correct positioning of the woodruff key. I think it is supposed to be parallel to the taper (as opposed to vertical in orientation) but I don't remember offhand. Replace the flywheel, making sure that it is positioned correctly for the key to slide in place, allowing the wheel to seat fully. Tap the flywheel down with a leather or rubber mallet. Don't beat on it and don't use any type of hard hammer. Torque to spec after that.

Given that you are not seeing signs of fuel delivery, I agree with the others that you should do a full rebuild on the carb too. Once again, this is neither hard to do or expensive. Clean thoroughly and replace the pertinent parts - needle valve gaskets/o-rings, float, float valve, expansion plugs, etc.

After all of this, I would do a complete lube job too. It takes a few minutes but is simple to do and will keep things operating smoothly. Check your manual for lubrication points and proper lube type for each part.

Once you get everything cleaned up and set to factory specs, your motor should fire up without problems for a long time. And, while I realize that not all of this may be necessary, you will most likely fix whatever was wrong, won't be out much money, and you will gain a great deal of knowledge as to how your motor works. With that knowledge, you can take a pretty basic tool kit, a few shear pins and cotter pins, some "fix everything" items like duct tape and plastic wire ties, and most often be able to get home if something goes wrong out in the lake or bay.

 

[the machinist]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

You could also have a leak on the intake fuel line somewhere. This could be at any of the fittings or connections from the tank to the fuel pump & or a crack in the old lines themselves.

Have you tried to squirt some fuel into the carb as you are trying to start it?

 

[James BUK]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

Many thanks for all your replys, they are all helpful.

I intend to have a "play" this weekend and will let you know.

many thanks,

James

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

I'd check the compression first with a good tester before going any further.

 

[James BUK]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

I took the head off - Gasket no good on both cylinders. Looks as if somebody in the past has tried to fix it! I have managed to get a new head gasket.

Does anybody know the specified torque?

I can then try and start. I am confident all ill be ok.

Thanks to you all,

James

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

You may want to surface that head so it's flat. You can do that with emery paper on a sheet of glass, using a circular pattern of rubbing the head on the emery paper. Use a medium grit, followed by a fine grit, and don't go beyond just making the thing even.

If it's even slightly warped, it'll just blow another gasket and you're back where you started.

 

[James BUK]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

I put the new gasket on and the head. Compression now feels so much better.

Tried to start her and no luck.....

Checked for spark - I had before, but I am now only getting on one cylinder.

Took the flywheel off and found this (hope pics work). Should my coils look like this? I think this is my no spark issue. All the plastic surround is cracked and missing in places.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

I put the new gasket on and the head. Compression now feels so much better.

Tried to start her and no luck.....

Checked for spark - I had before, but I am now only getting on one cylinder.

Took the flywheel off and found this (hope pics work). Should my coils look like this? I think this is my no spark issue. All the plastic surround is cracked and missing in places.

Yikes those coils are toast! You know what you need to do

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

LOL! Remember that part about replacing the coils if you see any cracks what-so-ever? I think you are about a zillion miles beyond "what-so-ever!"

 

[artherm]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

I have a 4ph Evinrude, 1988 model, that I have to be real careful when I fog it down in the fall. This engine has one of those tiny carbs. One spring, I just couldn't get it to run. I checked everything out, pulled the carb off, and found the main jet plugged with jogging oil........

 

[artherm]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

dam, make that 6hp, and fogging oil. I have only had two beers..........

 

[James BUK]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

i today fitted new coils and condensers, but left the points for now, but checked the gap. Put the flywheel back on, and found I needed to adjust the coils position to get the shaft to turn.

Checked for spark and good on both. Cranked her over and second pull she went, spraying out water. She coughed a bit and died.

After 10 mins I got her running really wheeel and had her ticking over at low revs, after adjusting the slow idle. Very Happy!

Now I want to check the torque on the haed, check the gear oil and then my next project is a Lanyard so the children can use on the digy and be safe...

Thanks, I have learn't a lot.

James

 

[lexluger]

Re: 6hp Fisherman Won't Start

I am having some similar problems with my 66 6hp. I was using the same gas tank from my 62 18hp, which I am sure is 25-1. Will this mix cause problems if the correct ratio for the 6hp is 50-1?

I replaced the water pump and housing and gone through the carb with a rebuild kit. I open the idle needle 1 1/4 turns from lightly seated (with the choke out on cold starts) but it won't stay running. It'll fire and run for a few seconds then die.

The points are set, coils look good, has ~80 psi on both cylinders, plugs look good and gapped.