1985 Evinrude 150XP Problems (Again)

Novax

Novax

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
48
I've got another thread on this motor but this is a different problem and I wanted you all to see it. The motor runs (With the exception of a miss) pretty good out of water and in. It will go in gear (forward & reverse) good out of water. I took it to the lake today, started fine, had to set the idle a little, put it in gear and it shut off, several times. The only way I could get it to actually run was to lift the motor out of the water, shift into drive then lower it back into the water. It spit and sputtered for awhile then it started to pick up and when it did it ran fine til I would start coming back out of it, the miss started back again and the spitting and sputtering...any ideas what could be causing these new problems? I'm so frustrated right now that I could almost stab holes in it, take it back to the lake and watch it sink Lol. :mad:
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 1985 Evinrude 150XP Problems (Again)

Sounds like the idle was set without a load on the engine. Do a link 'n' synch by the book, setting the idle with the prop in water and under load.
 
G

Greg_E

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 17, 2009
Messages
416
Re: 1985 Evinrude 150XP Problems (Again)

Get the factory manual. It is worth the extra money. The aftermarket manuals are not specific to your model, and sometimes have incorrect information.
 
E

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Re: 1985 Evinrude 150XP Problems (Again)

Agree with Greg, only get a factory manual for your engine. Check out outboardbooks.com-they are the original publisher. It's possible your carbs need cleaning. When that engine idles, the carb butterflys are closed. Fuel is delivered by small, dedicated fuel passages in the carb body. Over time, fuel can dry out and restrict these passages, causing idling issues. If you crack the throttle even just a little, other jets supply fuel to the engine and it may run just fine. You will need a special fuel system cleaner like a Gumout type product in order to dissolve any dried fuel gelatin in the carb passages. JB makes a good comment. That engine won't idle well if the idle rpms are set too low. You need to set the idle between 650 and 700 rpm's, when the boat is in forward gear and is floating normally in the lake. You can't set it on the trailer.
 
Novax

Novax

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Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
48
Re: 1985 Evinrude 150XP Problems (Again)

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm not begging but this boat is kind of important to me because it involves my son getting to do something I never did as a kid. He is on a Bass Fishing team at his High School and I really want/need to take him on these tournaments so ANY info that can be given will be greatly appreciated.
 
Novax

Novax

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
48
Re: 1985 Evinrude 150XP Problems (Again)

Checked the compression (with an older gauge) and all 6 pushed out a 30, with and without the plugs. Didn't know which way to check them so we did both. My brother noticed that I have a leaking head gasket so that's one thing that will definitely need to be taken care of. Coil packs, 3 where firing, 3 were not but the other day they were all firing.
 
E

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Re: 1985 Evinrude 150XP Problems (Again)

I'd expect to get compression readings of over 100 lbs on each cyl. Suprised the engine runs at all with only 30 lbs. Maybe a faulty gauge?
A bad head gasket could explain the problem (-or maybe two bad head gaskets.) If the 3 plugs not firing are all on one head, you may be able to do a simple test on your ignition system. There are two power packs on that engine. Each controls the spark to one head. For test purposes, you can swap those two power packs and see what happens. If the "no fire" problem moves to the other head, you have a bad power pack. For reference, you can use the factory exploded parts diagrams to help during your repairs: epc.brp.com Make sure you look at the exact model that year: the 150"s" model, it's different than the basic 150.
 
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