25 hp Evinrude problem

[skillman]

Ok, here's the deal, i have a 1998 25 hp evinrude model # E25ELECE, 2 cylinder. The problem im having is the motor runs flawlessly for quite some time, could be anywhere from 30 min- 2hrs then it will just give a couple hiccups & just die & it wont restart for mabye an hr or so...but amazingly it fires right up when i get it back home on muffs. Thought it might be the carburator, so a buddy of mine who is good with carbs took it off rebuilt it, we put it back on & out for a test run...ran great for an hr...died again...same problem! So, i replaced the power pack & both coils & while it was out I put a new thermostat, & water pump in it...took it back out for a test run....ran great like brand new for about 45 min...died again same problem! It jumps a 7/16th gap on spark tester with a nice blue spark. So, thinking it might be my primer bulb so I put a new one on since the old one is about 5 yrs old, so back out again ran good for a little over an hr...died again..same problem! Also the vent to the fuel tank is open. Just a note that all 3 times this has happend it was at low speed. Im tired of getting towed in every time!! The motor doesnt feel hot & pumps water great, but im thinking something is getting hot & stalling this thing out...mabye electrical? Cause when i get it on the trailer and back home after an hr or 2 it starts right back up in my driveway! Any help or opinions im open to all. Thanks!

 

[boobie]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Did you check the spark when it died on you ??

 

[skillman]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Yep sure did.

 

[boobie]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Did it jump the 7/16" air gap?? You could also have some crap floating around in the carb from a deteriorating fuel line. Or else a fuel line is causing the prob.

 

[skillman]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Yes nice & blue spark. When we did the carb rebuild it actually looked quite clean for never being taking apart before & the jets werent clogged. I took fuel line off from carb to fuel pump and poured the fuel that was in line into a glass jar & it looked clean. I just dont know what else to do.

 

[kodibass]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Next time it does this raise the fuel tank higher than the engine and see if it might restart with gravity feed. use a borrowed tank and hose from a known good runner, check for something in the fuel pump screen, give all fuel hose and connectors a real close inspection for pin holes and/or pinched spots, also give all wiring a good inspection looking for rub/bare spots corrosion etc, Also make run motor after dark with the hood off and look for any arching. as soon as you get back to the dock after it dies do a compression test (just to see) what numbers you get and if the are way of from a cold compression test #'s. Take carb off again and soak body in a good carb dip for 24 hrs+ while carb is off look inside intake and look as best you can for debris in & around reeds. Also make sure all coil/electrical grounds are clean and properly grounded.

 

[skillman]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Ok thanks, im going to look everything over again & recheck all grounds & hoses. But for what its worth I did a comp test when it was warm about a week ago both cyl...118 psi, never did a cold comp test though. Im gonnna go mess with this thing and take it out for a bit this afternoon. Just not going to leave far from the dock, last time I had to be towed about 4 miles!

 

[ncpi]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

I had a similar problem on a 70's Evinrude 25hp, ran for 30 minutes out on the water, then it would quit.

I thought it was a fuel pump problem as I couldn't get a really good squirt from the output when I pulled it thru. I purchased a new fuel pump, but when I went to install it I found the gasket between the fuel pump and crankcase was missing. At that time I also pulled the thermostat and found it would not open when I put it in a pot of water on the stove. So since I had to order a gasket I also ordered a new thermostat. The new fuel pump with the gasket plus the new thermostat did completely fix the problem. Still not sure if the both; but when it heated up the seal between the pump and crankcase may have been leaking and I may have been losing fuel pressure. I would check these two areas...since you put in a new thermostat already its probably not that, but it is easy to take out and test with a pot of water...it should open at about 145 deg...way below the boiling point of water.

 

[skillman]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Still getting same problem, ran great for over an hour & just died but luckily i was close to the dock this time. so i get it back on trailer and it finally fires up after an hr of sitting, i waited till it got dark and ran it again to see if anything was possibly arcing out & couldnt find anything. I would hate to take it to a mechanic cause i fear what hes going to tell me...it runs great and he cant find nothing wrong & charge me some crazy price just to look at it. But i just might have to bite the bullet on this one & get it looked at.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

just to be sure, you did the spark test when the motor died, and would not restart? what do the plugs look like after it dies? plug condition can tell a story!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Here is my 2 cents.

I feel if it was an ignition related issue, due to a component heating up, it would die quickly...since it is hiccuping and slowly dying, I would stay focused on a fuel delivery related issue. The fuel pump gasket might be a place to start as mentioned.

Have you tried a different line/tank just to rule that out?

 

[nwcove]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Here is my 2 cents.

ahem.....its two nickels now!!

 

[skillman]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

LOL..been throwing more than nickels at this thing! And yes the thing gets good spark when it dies. I checked fuel pump gasket a little while ago and it looks fine & there was no debris in the screen & it doesnt appear to be leaking. And last time i was out I had my 3 gallon gas tank hooked up instead of the 6 gallon tank. Plugs to appear to be in good shape just a little grayish/black color to them. Think im going to take carb back off and just re-check to make sure no debris is in the jets. Other than that im lost!

 

[rtsj]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

What about a fuel line heating up and collapsing shut and starving the motor. Then when cooling down hardening up letting fuel flow freely again. This may be purely a silly stab in the dark but have seen it before of some other small engines.

Roy

 

[wanty9999]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

so what is your idle set at? If its sounded a bit low you might bump it up a tad. If it has controls then follow the cable in and there should be a screw (dial) that will bump the idle up while turning it counter clockwise. my 1991 15hp did exactly as yours described and my idle had just worked itself down, because of the throttle cable slowly loosening. Once i bumped it up (after doing water pump, and all the other tests) it ran and idles perfect.

good luck

 

[skillman]

Re: 25 hp Evinrude problem

Now thats one thing i havent looked at, but will def give it a try.