1985 70HP Evinrude Not Getting Fuel

l_striker

Cadet
Joined
Aug 5, 2010
Messages
25
I recently bought a 1985 Bass Tracker with a 70HP Evinrude VRO outboard. Whenever I start the engine it quickly stalls. I noticed that it's getting fuel into the filter after squeezing the ball. After it runs/stalls, however, the filter goes from being full to about 2/3 empty.

Can someone confirm whether or not this sounds like a problem with the fuel pump? If so, they sell fuel pump repair kits for $15, would this correct the problem?
 

Rscardina

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2010
Messages
513
Re: 1985 70HP Evinrude Not Getting Fuel

I recently bought a 1985 Bass Tracker with a 70HP Evinrude VRO outboard. Whenever I start the engine it quickly stalls. I noticed that it's getting fuel into the filter after squeezing the ball. After it runs/stalls, however, the filter goes from being full to about 2/3 empty.

Can someone confirm whether or not this sounds like a problem with the fuel pump? If so, they sell fuel pump repair kits for $15, would this correct the problem?

fuel pumps into the motor..and then you say the filter seems half full..
to verify its the pump you can squeeze the primer when it starts to feel like its going to stall..if it picks up and keeps going then it most likely a fuel pump issue.. the other thing could be air leaking into the fuel line making bubbeles and not allowing the pump to do what it does..or allowing fuel to drain back..but the primer is suppossed to not let that happen..

look for fuel/air leaks...make sure primer is good..then do the primer check while running ..if she keeps going then consider pump repair...
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: 1985 70HP Evinrude Not Getting Fuel

Starting procedure..... Pump fuel primer bulb up hard, increase throttle slightly to take engine off of the dead idle position, turn key to the start position and hold the choke on untill the engine starts, toggle choke as needed to keep engine running until it warms up. Is this your starting procedure? If not, what is it?

Are you saying that the engine stalls immediately after the engine starts, or are you saying that the engine runs okay for a period of time, then stalls out?

Try pumping the fuel primer bulb, acting as a manual fuel pump. If this corrects the problem, suspect a failing fuel pump of a fuel/air leak at some point between the fuel pump and the fuel supply.

The fuel filter normally is never full, just the nature of the thing but it has no bearing on your problem.

Normal trouble shooting regardless of the problem....... Check compression which should be 100+ psi and even on all cylinders. Is It?

Check spark with the spark plugs removed. The spark should jump a 7/16" gap on all cylinders with a strong blue lightning like flame.... a real SNAP! Does it? Don't atempt to check the spark by using the spark plugs.... a waste of time.

No tester? Build the following.

(Spark Tester - Home Made)
(J. Reeves)

A spark tester can be made with a piece of 1x4 or 1x6, drive a few finishing nails through it, then bend the pointed ends at a right angle. You can then adjust the gap by simply twisting the nail(s). Solder a spark plug wire to one which you can connect to the spark plug boots, and a ground wire of some kind to the other to connect to the powerhead somewhere. Use small alligator clips on the other end of the wires to connect to ground and to the spark plug connector that exists inside of the rubber plug boot.

Using the above, one could easily build a spark tester whereas they could connect 2, 4, 6, or 8 cylinders all at one time. The ground nail being straight up, the others being bent, aimed at the ground nail. A typical 4 cylinder tester follows:


..........X1..........X2

.................X..(grd)

..........X3..........X4

Thousands of parts in my remaining stock. Not able to list them all. Let me know what you need and I'll look it up for you. Visit my eBay auction at:

http://shop.ebay.com/Joe_OMC32/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
 

l_striker

Cadet
Joined
Aug 5, 2010
Messages
25
Re: 1985 70HP Evinrude Not Getting Fuel

Thank you gentlemen! First, I pump the brand new bulb (until it?s firm) which fills the filter about 80%. Next, I engage the choke and start the engine. The engine runs for a max of 15 seconds then stalls. When I check the fuel filter it?s only about 25% full and the bulb is limp. I will try acting as a ?manual? pump like you suggested. It does have a VRO which I?ve read is prone to failure. Could the problem be related to the VRO and would you suggest just by-passing it?
 

l_striker

Cadet
Joined
Aug 5, 2010
Messages
25
Re: 1985 70HP Evinrude Not Getting Fuel

Turns out it was the VRO. I capped the line, cut the power to it, and mixed the gas. Once I did all of that it started right up and works like a charm!
 
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