'89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

george3405

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Jan 29, 2007
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54
My '89 Evinrude 48spl starts, but won't stay running. As soon as it starts it dies. I've tried holding the key in to keep primer working, but nothing keeps it running. I'm wondering if the fuel pump would cause this. Any ideas?

Thanks,
George3405
 

tashasdaddy

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51,019
Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

holding the key i will flood it, and kill it. once it fires, you can bump the key, to inject more fuel, but holding it only floods it. is this motor new to you? has it been sitting for a period. i need more info. have you check spark and compression. i have had several of those motors.
 

george3405

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Jan 29, 2007
Messages
54
Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

Ancient Mariner,
I've had it awhile, but never had it running. First the power pack was bad and the coil. Then it was wired backwards and backfired. I took off the carbs and cleaned them best I could and installed kits in each one. Like I said, no matter what I seemed to do it just fires up then immediately dies. Compression on #1 seemed, initially, lower than 2, but is okay now. I've got the fuel pump off to rebuild it. After I try to start it I can restart it and again it will fire up strong and then die. After a few times, of course, I have to reprime the carbs. It won't run long enough to be able to bump the ignition key to keep it running. I even drained the gas tank and put fresh gas in it. If you have any other questions, let me know. Thank you for your time and help.

George3405
 

mikesea

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Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

George,just putting new parts in the carb aint enough.That eng sat long and likely needs to have the carb soaked in carb cleaner to clean all internal passages,also be sure your primer,red handle is in proper position,it should be aligned with primer if it is turned at 90 degrees it is on an will flood
 

george3405

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Jan 29, 2007
Messages
54
Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

Hey Mikesea,

I checked and the red handle for the primer is lined up with the primer, not at a 90, however, awhile back the plate for the fuel line broke, on the primer. I had to dismantle the primer to change it. Any chance I could have gotten it back together backwards. It's been awhile and I thought I put it back the way I disassembled it, but you never know.

Thanks,
George3405
 

mikesea

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Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

Does it die when you release the Key back to the run position.If so,you may have a bad key switch,or conection to it touching.You can test that by,disconnecting the red harness conector,then jump the starter,be sure the eng has water and realize if it starts,the only way to stop is choke or pull plug wires.Be careful.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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51,019
Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

did you do this, when cleaning the carbs http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=244013 ??

"Then it was wired backwards and backfired." backfire is a sign the woodruff key on the crankshaft and flywheel is sheared. if so, this would throw the timing off.
 

george3405

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Jan 29, 2007
Messages
54
Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

The flywheel key is not sheared, but I'm going to rebuild the carbs again to be on the safe side. Also, Mikesea, I'm going to take your advice on checking out the ignition switch & wiring. Thanks everybody, I'll let everybody know what I find when I finish checking these things out.

Thanks again, as always!

George3405
 

george3405

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Jan 29, 2007
Messages
54
Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

Bump.
Hurray! I got it to run. That's the good news. However, when it starts it wraps up to 6,000 or 7,000 rpm for a couple of seconds and then dies. Moving the starting accelerator (on top of the shifter) makes no difference. Bumping the key doesn't help either. One new thing it does now is that the primer ball is sucked in (like a vacuum) and doesn't pump up hard all the way. I disconnected the fuel line and still the primer ball is sucked in. When it starts it runs STRONG! Problem is can't get it to stay started and throttle down. Any ideas? Again many thanks, and I apologize to have to ask so many questions. Thanks to you guys it's getting there.

George3405
 

mikesea

Lieutenant Commander
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Oct 1, 2006
Messages
1,830
Re: '89 Evinrude 48 spl Won't stay running.

george ,need more info.Why didnt turning the key off shut her down<is it because you did as I suggested with the harness disconnected.If so,and it was the switch replace the switch or look for a short at the switch or the harness.Sometimes the big red plug sits in water from rain intrusion etc and you get a short.You also need to be sure your engine is in idle position.You may have a broken throttle cable.Disconnect it at the eng.hold the end and have someone operate the throttle/shifter at controls. to insure it pushes and pulls pk.While disconnected also insure your throttle arm on the eng.is operatying ok,no sticking points and make sure the timerbase under the flywheel is connected to the throttle arm and moving in coordination,again no sticking.You cant let that motor rev outa control,it will only take so much
 
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