1978 Evinrude 115 HP - Not Starting Properly

[Souljah]

Greetings. My Evinrude 115 will not start properly. Everything checks out (compression, new plugs, good fuel, coil pack is good and firing, etc.). The only way to get it to start is by spraying fuel into the cylinders; then it fires right up! Runs Great! I can kill the motor and it will start no problem. But, if you let the motor sit for an hour or so, it won't start unless you repeat the same procedure. I have been told that my particular model is notorius for having choke problems. This problem sounds simple enough to remedy. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[david_r]

Re: 1978 Evinrude 115 HP - Not Starting Properly

is your electric choke working properly?

try the manual choke lever and see if the choke butterflies move the same when using elec or manual.

could be fouled carbs in which case clean/rebuild

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1978 Evinrude 115 HP - Not Starting Properly

Take the cover off the carburetors and watch the choke plates while you crank the engine. The plates have to close 100% and stay closed until the engine fires or they cannot do the job.

When you spray fuel in, you are doing what the chokes are designed to do which is to add more gasoline to the fuel/air mix.

If the choke plates are synchronized, you can get them to close properly by simply moving the choke solenoid in small increments.

 

[D.spencer]

Re: 1978 Evinrude 115 HP - Not Starting Properly

Gads... went thru the same issue with my '77 140 hp Johnson. There was not just one thing that was causing my "cold" start issue. Is it running out o.k. when finally started and warmed up? idle ok? not dying warm,etc.? Are you starting the engine with the warm up lever pulled up?

 

[Souljah]

Re: 1978 Evinrude 115 HP - Not Starting Properly

It runs perfect once I get it to start. I'm not a mechanic, but the way that I would describe it is that "it's starving for fuel." Hopefully that makes a little sense.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1978 Evinrude 115 HP - Not Starting Properly

Exactly, it is "starving for fuel".

The way the system works is that the fuel pump and the primer bulb work to fill the float bowls in the bottom of the carburetors.

Then, when you engage the starter, the pistons create vacuum that pulls the fuel and air through the carburetors.

When your choke plates close properly, they cut down the amount of air and increase the amount of fuel, enriching the mix that reaches the firing chambers for your cold start.

Get your chokes to work correctly, the rest sounds like it is OK.

You still need to turn 300 RPM for a cold start, but because you can get it going with spray, it sounds like the ignition system is working properly.

If you want to understand your carburetion system better, read Theory of Operation on page 3-2 et seq. of your factory service manual.

 

[Souljah]

Re: 1978 Evinrude 115 HP - Not Starting Properly

Thanks, Ezeke. I will try what you suggested in a previous post. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.