1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

[Bass_boy7]

Hello guys, I have had nothing but troubles with my motor and now she won't run at all only cranks over . When she was running it was hard to keep her idling I would have to screw with the choke to get it going and once running would not allow the boat to plane out. So now im stuck she won't fire up at all now after a short run in the bay and I tried a brand new tank of gas and this happened, what could it be and what should I be looking for? is it carb related or timing or? as well the no plane issue could it be my prop as the prop has seen better days to say the least.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

To me, that sounds carb related. Get yourself a manual and do a carb cleanup/rebuild and filter change and also check the fuel pump. Certainly won't hurt it. If you had to choke it to keep it running there's probably a bunch of dirt particles in the carb. I had to do this on mine and it did wonders.

Good luck!

 

[drakocy]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

go to cdi electronics, then go to installation, or trouble shooting,,, i just had the same thing with a 77 50 hp, you can really cut to the problem following the steps on testing,,,, remember spark, fuel, compression, exhaust, should go boom,,, good luck

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

I hope I can get this thing figured out its driving me nuts, is a carb rebuild a hard thing to do for a novice outboard owner?, I am mechanically inclided just never toyed with an outboard.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

Start with the carb, your symptoms don't indicate an electrical issue at this point.

Cleaning the carb is easy and doesn't take very long. If you run into problems people here can help walk you through it.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

I hope I can get this thing figured out its driving me nuts, is a carb rebuild a hard thing to do for a novice outboard owner?, I am mechanically inclided just never toyed with an outboard.

Not on these carbs, not too many parts compared to an automotive carb. If you need to take pictures while you take it apart then do so, but just make sure everything's PERFECTLY clean and then reassemble with new gaskets. You should be able to find a "Carb Kit" on iboats.com or at a local dealer. I'd start here. Might also want to make sure you have spark at the plugs even before you take the carbs apart.

If that doesn't do it then look at the rest of the fuel system, then go to the ignition system. I'll bet it's the carbs or fuel pump; seems the greater majority of problem I read about on this website are fuel-related. Replace the fuel filter as well.

 

[basspirate]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

definately check carbs first. its much easier to troubleshoot than the ignition. i think you have 2 carbs. if you have to rebuild them do one at a time so if you forget something you can use the other carb as a refrence.

 

[Bret L]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

I agree. Sounds like she was doggy from dirty carbs and now they need a cleaning. Take some fuel/oil mix and spray it through the carbs and see if it fires. It should start briefly letting you know you're looking at a fuel issue and not ignition or check for spark at the plugs. Carb rebuilding is easy, dissasemble, lay out your parts in order, clean everything, you should be fine.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

thanks guys i will be doing this in two weeks when i head back up north, do you think the no start issue/poor idle is because they are jsut all gummed up and once cleaned fingers crossed she runs great? bc when the engine is not under load she revs right up etc sounds great but once put into drive she bogs, and now no start at all.

 

[basspirate]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

just taking things apart and reassembling them will not do. make sure you blow compressed air through all the very small holes. if you dont have compressed air you can also use very fine fishing line like 2 or 4 pound test. if you go the fishing line route make sure everything is dry because gas and carb cleaner will melt the fishing line exacerbating your problem. i've done it this way before and its worked fine.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

Im assuming they are clogged with junk bc the pee hole wasn't working and then I ran some fine wire line through it and bingo out came gunk and the pee hole works great now so im assuming shes really been gunked up bc it sat for 5 years.

 

[Rudi2]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

Im assuming they are clogged with junk bc the pee hole wasn't working and then I ran some fine wire line through it and bingo out came gunk and the pee hole works great now so im assuming shes really been gunked up bc it sat for 5 years.

Well if it sat for 5 years, cleaning and rebuilding carbs is definately the best place to start.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

yea this is what I was told by the old owner it was his dads and his father passed away so the son let it sit until I bought it so I guess a rebuild is a must do then.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

Im assuming they are clogged with junk bc the pee hole wasn't working and then I ran some fine wire line through it and bingo out came gunk and the pee hole works great now so im assuming shes really been gunked up bc it sat for 5 years.

the clogging in the pee hole and the "clogging "of the carbs are two TOTALLY different thinbs and from Totally different sources!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is going to be a step by step process...dont expect the ONE thing you get advice to do, will solve all your motor issues...go into this going step by step, making sure each thing you look at is ok and move on from there..and when you get to something that isnt right, you fix that issue and then start moving on again...

for a motor that hasnt run in so long... i would just jump start at, new plugs, new fuel filter, clean out all the old gas....make sure the tank isnt full of sediment...

get a spark plug tester and see if you have a good long blue spark that will jump a gap of about 7/16th".....

you dont have to check compression if you dont have a guage, right now....

once you get it started and it continues to run poorly out on the water, then you can check the compression..

read up on the carb rebuild here on old threads... do a search

you need to go north with a few SPECIFIC tools

namely a screw driver ground down to a certain size to remove the jets..

or you can go BUY that tool from a marine shop..

you need to have literature about how to dissasemble and reassemble your carbs..in the order they show!!!

you need to know how to set the float hieght...it is easy to do with good instructions...

they use a guage in the book, but you wont have a guage!!! so read up on it setting float height..

if you dont have an air compressor with a nozzle to flow the carb parts dry...but a can of compressed air!!!

get a can of good carb solvent..or electrical degreaser...the kind that dries not too fast..so it can dissolve the varnish and still be liquid to carry the particles away when you blow it with compressed air!!

take time retorqueing all your screws and nuts... take cell phone pictures of the connections before you take them off the carb...use them for reference later if needed

it isnt hard, but missed steps makes you do it all over again

good luck

PS, I have the exact same motor sitting outside on a stand... and it is running great, so if you need reference info or a phot, let me know

bob

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

thanks for the heads up, I appretiate it looks like this will be a hell of an experience for me hahaha.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

ok so after pulling the carbs off the motor I found out they were gunked to hell. So I cleaned them as best as I could did new plugs, and boom the boat planes out but isn't very fast mind you I think it is the propr bc it is a big prop used for skiing etc to get the torque from what i have been told. But I have run into the issue of a high idle so I usually have to choke it to bring down the rpms to shift it into gear,where is the idle adjustment screw on my carbs so I can turn it down, sorry for the novice question but Im new to it all, thanks alot guys

 

[basspirate]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

on the side of your engine is an arm that the throttle cable attaches to. half way up the arm is a screw that sets the idle. do not touch the screw on the top of the arm that goes to a lever under the flywheel. that is factory set and should not be touched.
the high idle may also be caused by the need to do a link and sync. i believe the procedure is in a sticky. you may also have not cleaned the carbs well enough.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

yes that screw had been played with by the previous owner bc it was not in the proper spot when i got it, so I moved it to where I compared it to another members pictures he sent me (thanks again) where is the idle screw on the carbs I thought there was an idle screw??

 

[basspirate]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

there is no idle adjustment on the carbs. the only adjustment on the carbs is for the throttle plates but they are sychronized to each other and should not be touched unless a link and sync is done. take your air box cover off and make sure all the throttle plates are fully closed at idle. you dont need the engine running to check this. if they are even slightly open it will affect your idle. your throttle cable may be misadjusted if they are open.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: 1980 evinrude 50hp will not start/run properly

ok I am going up to see my boat in two weeks as its at the cottage so I will do that then when I get there and report back, how do I adjust the throttle cable so that they are closed on idle