1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

[Huntleybill]

Model # 40202E. Previous owner says it has been sitting "awhile" ( you know the old story)

I made sure there was spark to both cylinders, blue and strong.
The starter engages and turns the motor.
I set the choke and crank it with no pops, no sputters, nothing.
I release the choke and a short stream of gas runs out the carb. Flooded????????
I check the spark plugs and they are "wet".
I let it sit for awhile.
I go out and take the plastic shield off the front of the carb, manually open the throttle plate and squirt gas in.
I crank and THINK I hear a brief pop (not sure cuz it happened once...maybe) Could have been wishful thinking but I thought I heard something.

I try it again and get no start, nothing
I check the spark plugs and they are wet.
I give up and write this post!!!!

Why won't it start?
My thought would be to remove disassemble and clean carburetor. But I'd rather hear what YOU think.

Thanx
Bill

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

You need to check for spark with an actual air gap tester and see if it will jump at least a 1/4" air gap with a hot blue spark. If you have done so already and gotten good spark, then you may have the spark plug wires crossed. If they'e crossed, all you will get is backfiring.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

What is the compression?
Is the flywheel key sheared?

 

[Huntleybill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

I checked the compression with that poor mans tester, you know, your finger. Both seem to have equal pressure ( at least what you can feel with your finger)

As for the flywheel key, I didn't physically look at it but it seems to be turning the engine over. I say this because when I take the plugs out the engine spins like the crazy, when the plugs are in it doesn't spin like crazy.

As for having the spark plug wires crossed, I thought of that. You can't cross them as the top plug wire won't reach the bottom plug.

I appreciate your ideas. Thank you for the help.

 

[Huntleybill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

UPDATE

I took the carb. off and there is a gel like substance in the float bowl and all over the float. It looks very much like gel paint remover. So, I need to go get some carb. cleaner.

I hope this works!

 

[Huntleybill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

UPDATE:
Cleaned the carb. Blew out all holes, jets, etc. Replaced the carb and tried again. No difference. Still won't start. Does not even pop. Can anyone help me with this? What else can I do?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

Does it have a nice blue spark and will it jump a 1/4" gap?

 

[Huntleybill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

Yes, it has a spark. I checked it by laying the spark plug on the head. Then cranking it over. The plug has a nice blue spark but it certainly is not a 1/4 of an inch gap in the plug. Would holding a screw driver in the spark plug wire ( instead of the spark plug) and holding the screwdriver 1/4" from the head satisfy that test?

Thank you Daviet for your help.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

If you can hold it that way it will work. If you have good spark you might want to check the flywheel key to make sure it is not sheared.

 

[Huntleybill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

I'll give that a try. To check the flywheel key, I assume that means taking off the top of the engine? Like the pull start/recoil mechanism? Or, whatever you call that.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

You can also take the plugs out, squirt some premix directly in the cylinders, put the plugs back in and try it that way. When squirting it into the the throat of the carb, it helps to manually flip open the throttle butterfly to get the gas to the reed valves directly.

 

[Huntleybill]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

Yes tx1961, I did squirt some fuel in the carb throat with the throttle butterfly open. I didn't try squirting directly into the cylinders but the plugs were wet so I figured it was getting gas...maybe too much gas ?????

 

[sixmile723]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

sounds like you have spark, fuel, and air. Let get better compression. All that gas has washed the oil off the piston rings, you have low compression. Take the plugs out and tilt the motor forward so plug holes are up. now get some 30 WT oil in the holes, say a table spoon in each. Turn motor over slow, by hand a few times, Now put a shop towel over the holes, and spin motor with starter, just to blow out excess oil. Dry your spark plugs, brake part cleaner and shop air. Install plugs, and try it.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

I'll give that a try. To check the flywheel key, I assume that means taking off the top of the engine? Like the pull start/recoil mechanism? Or, whatever you call that.

You'll need three grade 8 bolts and a cheapo harmonic balancer puller to get the flywheel off to check the key. Make sure you do a correct spark test first. You'll also need a torque wrench set to the correct torque value to reinstall the flywheel nut, or you could ruin your engine. You really need to check the compression on your engine as well. I'm expecting weak spark or sheared flywheel key is the problem, as everyone else has suggested.
JBJ

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

if the plugs are wet then it's not go enough hot spark to fire under compression.

 

[emoney]

Re: 1972 Evinrude 40 HP won't start. Yes, I read the top secret post....help!

By the way, those $10.00 compression test kits will work fine for this application. It's a lot better to go ahead and buy the kit, run the test and see what the #'s are, before you spend a lot time scratching your head. By all means, check the flywheel key too.