1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

As Dhadley has stated, if the engine is indeed a crossflow engine, the dual throat carburetors are designed so that one side of the carburetor can have a negative effect on one bank without affecting the other bank.<br /><br />The confusion seems to be that possibly the carburetors weren't cleaned properly as it was stated that the engine ran worse AFTER the carburetors were cleaned. If the carburetors have both fixed IDLE and INTERMEDIATE jets, then those jets could have been installed in the wrong location as many of those two function jets are of the same physical shape and thread size.<br /><br />Most engines, when they've sat up for a period of time, especially the crossflow engines, are in a tilted position and turned to one side. This usually causes the high speed jets on one side of the carburetors to clog more so than the other side. If the high speed jets were not removed and cleaned manually, it's possible that the center and lower carburetor have clogged high speed jets pertaining to the starboard bank (#3 & #5).<br /><br />I'm assuming that the carburetors have been installed in their proper location and that the linkages are correct.... and that this is indeed a crossflow engine as stated.<br /><br />What is the model number of that engine?<br /><br />The compression has only 5lbs difference between the lowest and highest reading... that's fine, and the average reading of the 1989 V/6 engines is usually around 90 psi.<br /><br />Remove the spark plugs, rig a spark tester so that you can set a gap of 7/16". At cranking speed, the spark should jump that gap with a strong blue lightning like flame. If not, find out why and let us know about it.<br /><br />The proper s/plug would be Champion QL77JC4 plugs, gapped at .040 .<br /><br />If the compression and spark are as they should be, that leaves a fuel condition. The reason (my line of thought) that the cylinder kicks in momentarily when you put the plug wire back on would be that the lean carburetor(s) were supplying fuel to that cylinder, building up in volume (fuel) enough to have a response when the plug wire was reattached.<br /><br />To rule out a erratic coil, simply switch coils.<br /><br />To check for a lean running, fouled carburetor, have the carburetor face plate off with the engine running at a idle. One carburetor throat at a time, insert two fingers into its throat. If the rpms increase, that portion of that carburetor has a clogged jet, passageway, a restriction of some kind.
 

james roach

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
216
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

Excellent response. I second the carbs still are not clean. You have got to let them soak and then blow out with the air compressor. The cleaner they sell in the spray can or that you run through the tank is pure CRAP. BTW when I first purchased my 200 Johnson, I was having trouble with garbage getting into my carbs. I installed one of those glass in-line filters in the fuel line and I have not had a minutes trouble since. And that was 2 1/2 years ago. <br />James
 

tntwalker

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
36
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

Thanks again for all the direction...<br /><br />I used a spray carb cleaner when cleaning them the first time and did NOT soak the parts... If I soak the parts, should I also soak the plastic bottom of the carb? and what solution is recommended for soaking? Brand specific... Just FYI... I use compressed air to blow out the passageways after cleaning.<br /><br />I removed 6 jets when disassembling each carb... two of them were smaller... and the other four had the same thread, but with different numbers imprinted on them... I took note of which numbers came out of which holes and made sure to put them back in the right holes... <br /><br />I'll bust all the carbs back down this weekend and clean them properly.. .(once again a link or a post of proper procedure would be greatly appreciated...) Slap 'em back on... synch 'em up and fire it up.... and report the results... <br /><br />Joe... I'll have to get back to ya on the Model #...
 

james roach

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
216
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

I use the gallon of cleaner that they sell at Advance auto. It has a parts basket inside of it so you can just lower the disassembled carb into it. The directions instruct you to remove all plastic from the carbs. Follow the directions on the can and blow out with air when done. From the sounds of your posts, you should concentrate on the low speed jets. This is the one under the needle and seat. I would be suprised if this does not get you running right.
 

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

Do not soak the float chambers (bottom of carb) if they are plastic. Soak only the metal parts. When we get the model number, that will allow us to pinpoint exactly what numbered jet goes where just in case a error occurred (it happens).
 

tntwalker

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
36
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

Couple more questions before I start the carb cleaning... I've purchased the carb cleaning kit from Advance Auto as suggested... Gunk is the brand... The can suggests a soak time of at least 20 minutes... I was planning on soaking overnight (10 hours)... Too much? Also the can suggests to rinse all parts with water after soaking.. I've seen no posts suggesting a rinse in water afterwards... so basically...<br /><br />How much soak time?<br /><br />Rinse with water after soak?<br /><br />Should Float chambers be cleaned with hot soapy water and rinsed well with clean water afterwards?<br /><br />Thanks...
 

james roach

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 17, 2002
Messages
216
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

I have soaked overnight but in hindsight that is probably not a good idea. Soak them for an hour or so while you fool with the others. Do them 1 at a time so the right parts go back like they came apart. After they soak, blow them out and put them back on the boat. I personally dont soak the jets themselves but I take them out and clean out the holes with some wire and make sure the jet center is clean. Pay careful attention to the jets when you take them out and you will probably find some left over gunk which is more than likely the source of your problems. Good luck.<br /><br />james
 

tntwalker

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
36
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

Re-rebuild of carbs complete... Only thing I found wrong from previous rebuild was float drop was too much in middle carb....<br /><br />Here is the NEW problem I discovered... While running the motor at roughly 2000 rpms for a short period of time, I notice water shooting out from the bottom right of the exhaust cover... In other words the starboard side when looking at the back of the motor... <br /><br />What are the possible reasons for this? I'll assume a gasket or two... but I don't know which... Is it possibly a faulty water jacket gasket? or even possibly a head gasket?<br /><br />Can I run the motor with both exhaust plates off to determine further the source of the water? and also could water be seeping into the bottom two cylinders on the starboard side causing the miss I have?<br /><br />Thanks so much!!
 

tntwalker

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
36
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

Well... It's a sad day in my driveway... Pulled both exhaust covers to find significant scoring to #3 cylinder... *sigh*... Even though compression tested at 85lbs on that cylinder... I still don't understand why scoring could cause the cylinder not to fire if the compression, fuel, and spark are all there... <br /><br />Options... Have this powerhead rebuilt to the tune of $3,000.... or order a powerhead from iboats.com for $1,600 and pay about $500 to have it installed... <br /><br />This means transfer of all electronics... which I'm still not convinced are all still working properly... <br /><br />or... purchase a used 1980's model 150 in good working order for less than $2,000...<br /><br />I know several folks on here have faced this same situation... <br /><br />Any help is always appreciated...
 

Grahovac

Cadet
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
7
Re: 1989 Evinrude V6 Engine Trouble

after reading what everyone said i must ask you one question. did you replace the plugs,not justclean and gap them? Just wondering
 
Top