1988 88hp spl evirudre starter issue I think

[lvl]

Hey everyone,

I have recently accuired a free boat with an evirude 88 hp engine. It has been sitting for at least five years.

So first thing I wanted to do was check compression. After removing all four plugs and spraying some fogging oil in the cylinders I put a battery on the starter with jumper cables and it turned over fine.

When I put my compression guage in one of the cylinders it is stopping the starter. Almost like the compression stroke on the cylinder is bogging down the starter.I can also do the same by putting my finger over the plug hole.

Also the starter sprocket is not coming up far enough to mesh with the fly wheel.I manualy meshesd it with the fly wheel for this test.

Should I replace the starter or do You think there is another issueI need to look into?

How hard should it be to turn the fly wheel with no plugs in the engine?

It seem like I can feel compression building with no plugs in.....weird.

Thanks
Bryan

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: 1988 88hp spl evirudre starter issue I think

I juts sold my little small ski boat yesterday in fact that has a 88 SPL Evinrude on it and it is a 1989 model probably the same as yours. Anyway, they are great motors but for the starting issue your having with yours you need to clean every connection starting with the battery connections and work your way up to where it connects to the motor under the hood and really clean these until there shiny clean use sand paper then I would get the battery load tested for free at Auto Zone or any auto parts place to make sure you have a good battery. That engine should turn easily with the spark plugs removed. If it is not there might be some other issues also before I forget check the lower leg unit oil to see if it has water in the lower unit and if it does then thight might be why your motor is having a hard time turning because the lower leg unit is partially seized by the water inside of it especially if that motor has been sitting a while. I would also by you a manual but we can help you out for most of the issues but I highly recommend buying at least a Seloc for some knowledge but the manual for that specific motor is the best way to go. If you get that correct and she turns over great then I would buy carb kits, water pump kit, new thermostat kit and change out the lower leg unit oil. I would also do a decarb as per instructions on this site before I would take her out on the water for any length of period. So yes do the easy stuff first then make sure you have a great motor before you go buying parts and waisting your money. Do the compression check first after you figure out why the motor is having a hard time spinning over. Let us know how it goes, Bob

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: 1988 88hp spl evirudre starter issue I think

Also, is this a salt water or fresh water engine? Just curious?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 88hp spl evirudre starter issue I think

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[lvl]

Re: 1988 88hp spl evirudre starter issue I think

Thanks again guys.

It is a saltwater engine.

So even with the boat in neutral water in the lower leg would bind up the motor?Maybe thats the compression I'm feeling the impellor or something.Do you think it would be a bad idea to take the whole bottom of the leg off for the compression test?

I did dothe jumper cable method for my test.Also mice got into the engine and chewed a few wires nothing major.I thought by disconnecting the wire from the solenoid I could bypass any wiring issues.

I really don't think its a battery issue since I took the battery out of my van and got the same result.

I'm trying to do at least a compression test before spending $50 on the manual the evinrude mechanic told me I should get.

Any input would be great.

Thanks
Bryan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 88hp spl evirudre starter issue I think

jumper cable do not make the best contact, the battery cables in the motor, if the get a nick, moisture gets in, and the cable deteriorate from the inside out, thus not delivering proper power to the starter. Salt Water environment, causes all the electrical connections to corrode, increasing resistance, reducing power to the starter. inspect you battery cables, and remove and clean connections, including ground connection on the motor.

 

[lvl]

Re: 1988 88hp spl evirudre starter issue I think

Thanks again for all the help as soon as its not so cold up here I'm going to drop the lower unit and check the drive shaft and take that starter apart.I'll let you all know how I make out.

Bryan