6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Hello all you experts, my motor is an Evinrude 6HP( year Unknown)its a 2 stroke with two cyl. Its problem is it is only running like a 3HP, at full throttle its not going near as fast as it should. Compression seems fine, we are getting spark from both plugs. Everything is clean, and seems to be good. we set the points to .020 and everything seems to be getting gas. Any Ideas?<br />Thanks<br />Dean :confused:
 

umblecumbuz

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Messages
1,062
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Hi Skippy,<br /><br />On your Evinrude - Have you tried opening up the spark plug gap? To, say, 30thou?<br /><br />Often makes a difference to the power. That's the simplest thing to do first.
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Welcome to Iboats, SirSkippy!<br /><br />Try to find the model number on the 6hp. Check for a name plate on one of the transom clamps. If it's missing, check for a quarter sized convex plug somewhere on the powerhead. Tell us what numbers are on 'em. Since the ignition system changed a lot, it's going to be important.<br /><br />But since you mention points, I'll assume it's the old universal magneto system. They often had problems with cracking ignition coils - you could find the problem just by looking. The result is that the coil arcs over under compression, especially as the rpms pick up. A test for this is to see how far the spark can jump. Over 3/8" is good.<br />New coils are cheap fortunately.<br />You seem to be working without the aid of a manual. As soon as you get the year pinned down you should get one, since you're only seeing part of the picture here. For example, the flywheel nut needs to be torqued to specs. If you don't want to buy one, you can often borrow one from the local library.<br /><br />As for the Elco, try posting a question for that in 'Other Outboards'.<br /><br />Hope this helps!
 

R.Johnson

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2003
Messages
4,446
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Your 6 HP sounds like it needs to have the carb cleaned, and a new kit installed. Sorry I can't help with the Elco, when, and where was this engine built? I have never seen one.
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Replies:<br />Stillfishing: Thanks I will try that for sure, nice and easy try.<br />Paul Moir: It is using the old universal Magneto system, one of them was cracked all the way around. I sealed it with silicon. I wasn't get spark on it's line at all until I sealed it. I will need to get a manual for sure. Thanks<br />R.Johnson: I really want to leave the new kit as a last resort, they are quite pricey. Thanks though. The elco was buit in Peterborough Ontario, year is around 1957:)<br />Thanks all. Keep the suggetions comming. If any additional information is required please let me know.<br />Thank<br />Dean
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Get the aftermarket coils (18-5181) from themarinedoctor dot com in Saskatoon or marinemanifold dot com in BC. For carb kits go to the dealer since their's comes with a new plastic float to replace the troublesome cork one.
 

BF

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
1,489
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Hi,<br /><br />not that I'm gonna be much help, but I have a similar problem with my 6 hp (mine's a '75 and also has points etc)... for last couple years idled/trolled fine (which is what I do with it 99% of the time), but felt down on power on the top end (only pushed a bit harder than my 2 hp), so yes it felt like a 3 horsepower. Mine was also firing on both cylinders, had fine compression, and no obvious carb issue (idles, and ran up smooth). Anyway because it is a trolling motor on a light boat, I just left it be. Well this year, it has progressed into a miss that gets worse after idling for a while, and occassionally stalls. So, I pulled the flywheel and sure enough both coils are original and have cracks. I can tell by some discoloration where there has been arcing from the cracks. I just picked up new coils, points & condensers today. I'm hoping it'll smooth it out, and also bring back the rest of the HP. We'll see.<br /><br />good luck.<br /><br />Brent
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Hey BF,<br />Good to know, Let me know if it fixed the problem.<br />Thanks<br />Dean
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Well, was in it last night, and I set the points on the plugs to .030 and it didn't do anything to the performance. The lower Plug isn't firing properly, so I am going to silcone the second Magnet and hopefully that fixes that problem. Anyone have any other ideas to try to fix the problem of half horse power.<br />Dean
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Silicone the coil? Look, I'm the worlds biggest cheapskate, but new coils are around $20 each (Canadian). They work better and are far more reliable than the old ones. Usually now I don't even buy points but I do buy coils.
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

well, the one coils was cracked so bad, I wasn't getting spark, so I silicond it to check if it would help, and it did. I think you have just found a bigger cheapskate:)<br />thanks<br />Dean
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Well Purchased 2 new coils for the local Evinrude dealer, and put them in. The motor is running slightly better but prob not even a full horse improvement. I am not sure what else to try? Anyone have any Ideas?<br />Thanks<br />Dean
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Sorry, I thought for sure that would do it for you. Next best bet is to run through the carb like R.Johnson said. If you want, skip the carb kit for now and just haul it apart and have a look. Things to focus in on are the high speed oriface down at the bottom of the bowl, and the bowl to high speed jet gasket. Another possiblility is a leaking fuel pump. Pop it off and squeeze the primer bulb and see if any fuel comes out the little port on the back of it.<br />How do the plugs firing ends look?<br /><br />PS - I've got silicone holding the sparks inside the flyback on the monitor I'm using. $75 for a new flyback? I don't think so. :)
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Hey Capt Paul, I already stripped the carb once and checked it, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary (not that I know what ordinary looks like) but I might pull it apart and check what you mentioned. The plugs firing ends look great, but I might get new ones, what plugs would I want for this motor?<br />Thanks<br />Dean
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

That engine takes Champion J6C gapped at .030". The original J6J is NLA, but it's the same as the J6C. Canadian Tire stocks them.<br />The bowl-jet gasket is a likely suspect as it'll cause you to run really rich & four-stroke if it's leaking. New ones crush quite a bit when you put the bowl on. Old ones seem to shrink up into hard little pucks.
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Awesome, thanks alot, I will pick up new ones and give them a try. what do you suggest I do with the Bowl-jet gasket? <br />thanks<br />Dean
 

Grant S

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 26, 2004
Messages
160
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Have a look at your ignition advance setup. Is it rotating smoothly?
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Hello Grant, <br />I am not sure what that is? Is that the disk ontop of the points and coils?<br />thanks, sorry for being an idiot.<br />Dean
 

sirskippy

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2005
Messages
23
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

A New Development in this story. I went out today and dbl checked the point gap .020 check, and the plug gap, .030 and took the old fella for a spin.... Well after a few minutes, I was checking everyting and the one spark plug was quite warm to the touch... Is this right? the other one was fine. What is this an indication of?<br />thanks<br />Dean
 

Grant S

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 26, 2004
Messages
160
Re: 6 HP Evinrude Issues ( I am a Newbie)

Yes, the disc on top that moves when you open the throttle. I have had outboards in the past that had sloppy linkages and they didnt reach full advance and wouldnt reach full revs.<br /><br />Re the plugs, they should be fairly similar in temp. Next time you try this, pop off the lead from the cool one and see if there is any differenced in performance. If there is no difference your problem is in that plug/lead /coil.<br /><br />These are great little motors so they are worth persevering with.
 
Top