1986 Evinrude 120hp V4 First time out working out the bugs.

[bassboat1986evinrude150V4]

Just put boat in water first time tonight.(1986 bass boat) It will not start without manually working throttle linkage, will idle for a bit when warmed up, seems to run smoothly. Over 2000 rpm the final drive seems to(clunk) slip into neutral, then reducing engine speed allows it to start working again. Could the final drive fluid be low or do i have a more serious problem? Traveled a mile or so each direction on the river, slowing down to an idle to come up to the boat ramp, the engine died again at idle, again I got it going by pumping the throttle linkage. Also, no gauges work except the tachometer (analog water temp, tilt indicator, speedo, voltmeter all showing same reading as when i bought boat) I am guessing bad ground or something on this problem, and thinking of adding seafoam to the fuel mix to clean out the carbs but not sure if i should do this on two cycle engine w VRO pump disabled. Steering seems a bit stiff and hard to turn, not sure if this is normal or not, not impossible but acts like a car with the power steering pump not working. Not even sure if I should run it again until I work out final drive problem! Any help to a newbie appreciated, thanks!

 

[nymack66]

Re: 1986 Evinrude 120hp V4 First time out working out the bugs.

Wrong blog sorry

 

[bassboat1986evinrude150V4]

Re: 1986 Evinrude 120hp V4 First time out working out the bugs.

I think you may have replied to the wrong post. I have no idea what you are telling me

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1986 Evinrude 120hp V4 First time out working out the bugs.

1. Slipping out of gear: either spun prop hub or bad clutch dog/fwd gear. If it's like hitting a stump, it's the latter.
2. Failure to idle: clean carbs by complete disassembly ... follow shop manual procedures.
3. You can check for charging by measuring DC voltage across battery terminals when running ... less than 13.5 VDC is NG.
4. OEM shop manual has a wiring diagram for your motor.
5. To check steering, disconnect the steering system from motor. If motor swings freely, the problem is the steering system. If a cable system and motor/boat has seen saltwater, the steering cable assy needs to be replaced.

Prop slipping:
1. Mark inner and outer hubs with indelible marker
2. Run boat to planning speed
3. Compare marks ? if they?ve moved relative to each other, hub is slipping
4. Remove prop
5. Take it to a propeller shop and have it rehubbed

 

[bassboat1986evinrude150V4]

Re: 1986 Evinrude 120hp V4 First time out working out the bugs.

Drained lower unit oil, blacker than black and smells horrible, managed to drop lower unit without incident, built a stand according to selon manual and plan to get it apart this weekend and see whats up w it. It did feel like I hit a tree stump when the engine quit turning the prop, so I suspect its going to be the clutch dog/fwd gear. Does the lower unit oil being super black and having a horrible odor a sign of contamination or just lack of previous owner changing the oil? Everything looks decent so far with no sign of water in the lower unit but I havent gotten it all the way apart yet.