1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

you found 2 things very wrong already. go to walmart and get a set of muffs, that motor is too big for a garbage can. they go over the 2 slotted areas 1 on each side of the foot and connect to water hose. you need them anyway to flush the motor after use.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

Right, I got those, but I thought that I needed backpressure on the exhaust to see if it would replicate the problem.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

the motor puts out too much exhaust for a garbage can.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

That makes sense, so if I do a linc and sync I should do it on the water. I guess have my other boat around for a tow.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

Got another question, I found a 40-50 HP block for sale for 48.00 is this a good deal?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

No. Mark the tank were the oil level is now. After you run two tanks of fuel through, the oil level should have dropped by two pints (one pint for each 6 gallons of fuel). Adding two pints of oil at that time should bring the level back up to where you started. Obviously you need to start the test with enough oil in the tank so it doesn't run dry during the test. You should never let it drop below 1/4 tank anyway.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

for $48 it is probably in worse condition than yours. let's get the trouble shooting done, before throwing parts at it.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

Got ya on the block.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

Ok well here is what I did today, I am a little puzzled? I filled up the gas tank, which the tech had ran dry, premixed the fuel with outboard oil, TWC-III i believe. I used 32 oz's for 12 gallons, so I figure 50:1. Hooked up the fuel tank with the bulb arrow pointing in the correct way, then with the muffs on water flowing, started it following the cold start procedures in the FAQ. It fired right up, and ran well with fast idle lever. I let it run like that for just a few minutes, then I lowered the fast idle lever and expected it to die within a few minutes. Well it continued to run, I actually let it idle for about 30 minutes with the muffs on.

So what is going on?? Was the technician wrong? I am planning on at least launching it this weekend, and seeing if it will idle in water? I am wondering if it will die in the water. He did have it in a tank, so there was water pressure. I did notice that the engine seem to idle with a little surge, like rev up a little then back off a little (hrrm-mmmm) (hrrm-mmmm) of course this is by here not with a tach.
I am really puzzled, why the tech would tell that the engine was shot and wouldnt idle? He didnt rip me off, they actually gave me two free carb rebuilds????? I just wonder if he knew that his backlog of boats would make him more money than chasing down problems on an old engine.
Please give me thoughts, I am concerned that it will give me fits on the water.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

It may very well not idle when under load (on the water) due to the backpressure on the exhaust. You cannot let the running condition while on muffs fool you, it can be deceiving. I would double check all your fuel lines for air leaks. Any poor connections or aged looking hose? That may well be the reason for the surging.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

what is the best way to check for leaks on the fuel lines???

Dave

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

With the number of companies that manufacture outboard motors, and the number of problems associated with each and every model, it is impossible for any wrench to know it all. Despite that simple fact, there are those who profess omniscience.

Your only protection is education. Buy the factory service manual, buy the after market manuals so that you can keep up with the changes, and stay on the forums that provide the clues to the problems that arise with the changes in things like fuel, oil, and ownership.

Otherwise you will join the legions of frequent buyers and new and disappointed owners. The rest of us will enjoy the cheap used parts that your wrench may have guaranteed.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

The hoses all look good, the fuel connection at the outboard maybe a little loose. Should I change out the fuel line. Also should I decarb the engine if it will idle in the water?
Oh and this forum has been great, I am glad that I found this knowledgable bunch of folks.
And I am learning a lot, actually it is pretty cool, alot cooler than auto engines, I havent skint my knuckles are burnt my fingers like on a auto. But I know that it will take some work.

Dave

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

The 1988's came with fuel lines that were alcohol resistant, so they may be OK though it doesn't hurt to upgrade them. The clamps should be checked and replaced if they slip at all or even look weak.

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

While you have it in the yard and getting it ready for spring time fishing, it would not hurt to upgrade fuel lines, both at the powerhead and the fuel line from tank to the engine, new hose clamps if any sign of corrosion. most fuel line breaks occur at the hose clamps, so loosen and inspect all fittings.

change lower unit lube, make sure use new washers when you change the lube.

think of preparing an outboard the same way you would prepare your auto for a cross country drive.

check anything and everything,

use fuel stabalizer in your gas to prevent bad gas and varnish deposits.

By preparing your outboard in this fashion you will decrease the posibility of getting towed back to the ramp this spring and summer.

good overall inspection, carbs link n synced, timing set correct, good fuel system, good water pump, corect plugs and gapped to specs.

all this will give not only peace of mind when you set off on a boating experience but also knowing you have your engine in the best maintained state possible makes the experience so much more enjoyable.

Walmart sells a mixing bottle in their marine section, shows you how much oil to gas ratio to use, think it is around $3 money well spent as correct oil to fuel ratio is critical.

as far as what your tech was thinking??? dunno.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

Link & sync cannot be done on the water. It involves measuring linkages and aligning things, checking carb opening and closing, adjusting throttle cables, idle and wide open throttle timing. You need the manual for this. Check your local library.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

Thank you silvertip, and waverider. What I have either done or had done so far is; I have replaced the lower unit oil, new plugs, the QLC77 not the LC one's gapped to .030, had the water pump changed, the carbs have been rebuilt, and an air leak fixed in the VRO pump, hose I guess tech didnt tell me where. I have put fresh fuel, pre-mixed 50:1, even though the VRO mixes I like the idea. I also put Stabil in the fuel. I have checked the spark, and it was solid blue, I don't know what the size was hard to tell, the engine was idling on one cylinder.
I havent touched any of the linkage or sync without a manual. I have ordered one from Ken Cook.
My issue is that the tech told me this engine wouldnt idle in the tank, and said that the #1 cylinder was so scored that I needed to rebuild it. I know that this engine will have scores on the cylinder; its 20 years old. The engine will however idle on the muffs. Also remember that I found the fuel hose hooked up backwards and the vent on the tank screwed closed, so I wonder if this was his problem. All I want is for it to get me to the fishing spot and back. When I had it on the water it was running great, but wouldnt idle and I couldnt get it started. I think I was just not doing it right, and the carbs were gummed up since the old owner ran the gas out, and it is VRO so it filled the carbs with oil.

So my question is using the manual to link and sync how do I do it without going on the water. If I understand all the great help here, I have to have backpressure on the engine to get it right; but I cant use a large trash can the exhaust is to strong. So what do I do?

 

[wavrider]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

link n sync is just adjustments, cone with out the engine running.

It sets the butterflies on the carbs synced so thay both close completely and open completely with the throttle.

It also sets the timing so you are idling at correct setting as far as timing advance and also at wot.

read joe reeves WOT timing procedure in the faq section to set your timing, also performed without engine running.

that engine will idle and perform great, compression readings verify that.

get your manual, perform adjustmenst and you will be good to go

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

when you put it in the water, if it will run with the fast idle up, and not with it down, be prepared to adjust the idle speed stop screw. screw it in to speed up the motor, and out to slow it down.

 

[DaveAF]

Re: 1988 Evinrude 50hp VRO will not idle

Ok here is what I have done so far. I got the engine in a tank this weekend and it started great and idled. It seem to surge but would idle. I also could move the throttle from neutral into gear and it would only die from time to time.
I am planning on replacing the bulb fuel line and see if that helps. Also I am thinking about replacing all the fuel and oil lines as well, but I dont want to screw something up worse. You know the old saying, dont fix what isnt wrong. But I kinda feel that the hoses are leaking. Oh yea I did get a manual from Ken Cook, so I have some references.

Another question, should I de-carb this engine.