1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

[wurth190]

Just picked up this little motor from ebay and am at my wits end with this thing. I have already replace the impeller, fuel pump, points and condensors, coils, plugs and wires and cant get this thing to fire up. Fuel mix is at 50/1. I've gotten tired of pull starting this things so with the help of a power drill, I have some help cranking on this thing. First, I'm not sure where to set the idle and high speed carb screws to. I have tried every combination and no luck. I have plent of spark now that the entire ingnition system is replaced. It seems like it wants to start under the help of the drill but as soon as I take it off it sputters out almost instantly. I have removed and cleaned the carb and everything seems ok but I am almost to the point of just replacing the whole thing. Am I missing something here? Oh and while trying to start it, it is at WOT and if I choke the engine, it kills the whole thing instantly. Seems like a carb issue to me but I have never worked on boat motors before. Any help would be great before I toss this thing in the lake.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

welcome to iboats, i recommend CARBURETOR REPAIR KIT, ORDER PART 383067 it includes everything you need, including new float. it is a dealer part, or on line direct. http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index.aspx?s1=bf6ad09c53cead335fcfd8a6471c0f7f

also carb adjustments in this thread.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=299680

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

several things to do to begin with:

Set the carb adjust screws to the settings in Joe Reeve's article on carb needles on the "Engine Frequently asked questions " board.

Check compression

Try starting it with fuel mix sprayed directly into the carb. If ignition really is Ok it should fire and run a moment or so.

Buy a manual

Do not pollute the lake!

 

[wurth190]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

I've ordered the carb rebuild kit already and am waiting on the parts. Hopefully that will do the trick as I set the adjustments based on the posts from this site already. I have also noticed that after a few starting attempts that there is a milky color dripping out the front of the carb. To me this means water is getting in somehow but the fuel is fresh in the tank. Had both cylinders checked by dealer and they are both up to specs. Will try the fuel directly into carb and do a rebuild and report back later this week. Thanks for the imput

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

Are you seeing any sign of milky oil on the plugs? This is a great little motor and when you do get it running you will be pleased with it. I have the exact same motor/year and love to troll all day long on a couple of gallons of fuel. It doesn't get any better. A friend just bought a 17foot fishing boat and we hooked my 4 HP. Evinrude to the kicker plate and it pushed his new boat without any hiccups at all. Please do let us know and stop making comments about throwing it in a lake. I won't be able to sleep at night wondering which lake. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[wurth190]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

Ok guys its been about a month long battle but I have good news. It took a lot of sweat, a few tears and a little blood but the motor lives on! New impeller, points and condensors, plugs, wires, flywheel nut (I broke that) a complete carb rebuild and a lot of time on the two carb adjustment screws but the little engine that couldn't, can now. What a little diamond in the rough. Its quite surprisingly strong and has no problem getting my 12 ft john boat on plane believe it or not. There is one remaining problem. The recoil start is very difficult to use(I've cleaned it already) and is unable to start the motor. I need a new one. I had to resort to using a string on the flywheel but it starts on 2nd or 3rd pull when cold...first pull when warm. So if you all know where I can order a new recoil that would be great. Thanks for all the imput and encouragement. I am now iboats biggest fan!

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

Glad to hear your on the water.
Is it the whole recoil unit your wanting. You can replace the spring (and probably everything else) separately. This is one spring that is very simple to replace if you have a manual. Do you? Rick.

 

[wurth190]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

I would like to just replace the whole recoil unit all together but if a spring will do the trick then that will do as well. I have heard of horror stories when messing with springs and want to avoid that...reason being why I want a whole unit instead of parts.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

Part Number: 0384773 is for the whole unit. It says it is dealer direct so you might call a dealer for a price. The spring is also available and is Part Number: 0312932.

What is the problem with yours? If it is just stiff, spraying inside with lots of WD40 will free it up a lot. Honestly, if you have the omc manual there is excellent instruction on replacing the spring. Very difficult to do with out it although the first one I did was without the manual. Rick.

 

[wurth190]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

Ok I did the wd-40 and it worked wonders.Someone told me to use carb cleaner and that was a flop. The WD-40 actually worked to well because I sprung the thing. The spring tab slipped into the houing after the motor stalled out on the middle of my pond. That was interesting. The back up string saved me haha. I will attempt to re-build it but I had already resorted to getting a new one anyway so I can't complain if I don't get it back together. The part numbers were a big help as I don't have an owners manual. Bottom line is the motor runs and that is enough for me. Thanks

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin 4hp starting issues

That is not uncommon for the 4 horse spring to do that. Here is how I fix them. Cut a piece of 3/8 copper tube the same or 1/16th longer than the width of the spring. Wrap the spring as tightly as possible around the copper tube until you get at least a turn and a half around the tube. Take a tie wrap and put it up through the tube and tighten it as snug as you can to hold the spring around the tube. I have never had a spring suck into the rewind plate after doing this procedure. I've tried it without the tube and for some reason the coil eventually gets sucked back in. Wear your junker clothes cause those springs get you very dirty. Rick.