1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

[OttawaRiver]

Hi, I have a 98 Evinrude 115 hp on a 18ft bowrider that was running fine two years ago. I didn't start the engine for two years

Last weekend, I decided to put it in the water. It started after 3 tries and it idle just fine.
However, when I put it in gear, the engine stalled! After about 10tries, I finally got it running in gear and It accelerated slowly! The engine is running fine at above 2 000rpm. I got it to almost 6000rpm at 40mph without any problem. It accelerated well when the engine was above 3500rpm like if it was new.
When I stopped and tried to accelerate from idle, the engine stalled again. It took me another 10tries to get it in gear.
It starts and idle like a charm, the problem is getting it in the gear
I noticed that the engine is struggling between 2000 and 3500rpm, the acceleration was very slow but above 3 500rpm, I didn't notice any problem at all

Is my lower unit shot? OR is one of the cylinder lost compression?
Note that I have put new spark plugs and new gas

Thanks !

 

[boobie]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Do a compression and spark test on it. Spark should jump a 7/16" open air gap on a spark tester. If they pass, look into doing the carbs.

 

[OttawaRiver]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Compression is around 125 on all cylinders
I don't have the machine to test the spark but theres a spark on all 4 spark plug

I spoke with two marine shop for a carb rebuilt and they charge between 350 and 400$? I find that expansive

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

You could get the factory manual and do it yourself. There are a lot of people here that can help if you run into problems.

 

[daselbee]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

No, your lower unit is not shot.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

You can buy spark testers at any parts house for around $8.00.

 

[OttawaRiver]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Bought the spark tester and did it today, one cylinder is not getting a spark. Changed the cable and still not getting one
The other are getting around 7/16 spark

 

[keefallan]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

If you have a crossflow 115,I don't know because you haven't stated the model number, the carbs on that one are a piece of cake. They are simple and a rebuild kit(U need 2) costs 20-24 bucks each. A manual is a good thing to have regardless. As far as the spark goes. You may need to check the coil. Swap it with one of the others. If it gives a spark now, then you know its the coil. If not, it's something more. The cylinder you swapped with will now not fire if it's the coil.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Hi, I have a 98 Evinrude 115 hp on a 18ft bowrider that was running fine two years ago. I didn't start the engine for two years

Last weekend, I decided to put it in the water. It started after 3 tries and it idle just fine.
However, when I put it in gear, the engine stalled! After about 10tries, I finally got it running in gear and It accelerated slowly! The engine is running fine at above 2 000rpm. I got it to almost 6000rpm at 40mph without any problem. It accelerated well when the engine was above 3500rpm like if it was new.
When I stopped and tried to accelerate from idle, the engine stalled again. It took me another 10tries to get it in gear.
It starts and idle like a charm, the problem is getting it in the gear
I noticed that the engine is struggling between 2000 and 3500rpm, the acceleration was very slow but above 3 500rpm, I didn't notice any problem at all

Is my lower unit shot? OR is one of the cylinder lost compression?
Note that I have put new spark plugs and new gas

Thanks !

I'm not a mechanic but owned a 98 115 Johnson for over 10 years and had a similar problem a year or two ago. My 115 would fall flat on it's face under a load. After spending a lot of time and money on electronics and rebuilding the carbs I discovered the problem. Bad spark plug wires. Try running your motor at night with the engine cover off and look for sparks. Just a suggestion, if it were me I would try this before spending a lot of time on other things.

 

[GatorMike]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Just read your post about one plug not sparking. Try swithcing the ignition coil from that plug with one of the other coils, while you are at it take a little sandpaper and clean where the coil contacts the engine. If your lack of spark goes to the other plug you might have a bad coil.

Just came back to edit this post and make you an offer. My 98 115 Jonhson is no longer repairable. I have almost 2 full sets of electronics for my motor J115tslecm. 2 power packs 2 timer bases and 5 or 6 ignition coils. If you find you want to try any of those parts on your motor let me know. I will send it to you no charge. Then if it works for you just pay me what you think it is worth. I'm not trying to make any money just offering to help out if I can. Those parts are worth nothing to me.

 

[OttawaRiver]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Thank you Mike for the offer!
I just came back from the water and the outboard is running like a charm!
I found out that the ground of one side of the coil pack was corroded. I cleaned it and now I have a 7/16 spark on all 4 spark plug
I did a quick run and the engine didn't stall at all when I put it in gear! I did 48mph on WOT
I think that I will rebuild the carb because the engine still takes 3-4 tries start (when it's cold)
Thanks all for the help!

 

[c6mcfall]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Just read your post about one plug not sparking. Try swithcing the ignition coil from that plug with one of the other coils, while you are at it take a little sandpaper and clean where the coil contacts the engine. If your lack of spark goes to the other plug you might have a bad coil.

Just came back to edit this post and make you an offer. My 98 115 Jonhson is no longer repairable. I have almost 2 full sets of electronics for my motor J115tslecm. 2 power packs 2 timer bases and 5 or 6 ignition coils. If you find you want to try any of those parts on your motor let me know. I will send it to you no charge. Then if it works for you just pay me what you think it is worth. I'm not trying to make any money just offering to help out if I can. Those parts are worth nothing to me.

Hi Mike,
Saw your post, sent you a PM.. have a 98 115 E115SLECM and would be interested in parts. Having ignition issues myself and have not nailed down exactly which part or parts are bad.. I do know i have a good stator and optical sensor but pack and coils are suspect. Was about to pull the trigger and replace it all but Daselbee talked me off the cliff Let me know if your interested.

Thanks,
Fred

 

[MakoNY]

Re: 1998 Evinrude 115 stalls when I put it in gear

Thank you Mike for the offer!
I just came back from the water and the outboard is running like a charm!
I found out that the ground of one side of the coil pack was corroded. I cleaned it and now I have a 7/16 spark on all 4 spark plug
I did a quick run and the engine didn't stall at all when I put it in gear! I did 48mph on WOT
I think that I will rebuild the carb because the engine still takes 3-4 tries start (when it's cold)
Thanks all for the help!

Are you using the correct starting procedure? You should be priming the bulb, then turning your key on, then pushing your key in for about 5 seconds and then with it still pushed in turn the key to start. Try it without using the fast idle lever first.