'80 Evinrude 15hp

[ontheboat]

I bought a "new" boat yesterday.A 1980 Mithell Malibu.Nice little 14' skiff.Outboard had been sitting for nearly a year.I changed plugs and ran some new gas to it.It actually cranked and runs so long as you manually hold the throttle down but runs rough and will not idle.I am on a limited budget and will probably try to tune it up myself. Anyone with experience want to give me a starting place?Also is there a web-site to go to for old manuals?Thanks,<br />Mark H. <br /> Okay,<br />Carb was the first problem fixed.Starts on first pull and purrs like a kitten!Put her in the lake and experianced my first spun prop.Replaced the prop with another I found in the boat.and now she MOVES.But,at about a five second interval,there is a loud thud from the lower unit and the motor kicks up an inch or two.It doesn't happen at idle speed, but happens every 5 seconds at full throttle.I checked the grease in the foot and it is low and looks a little milky.What the heck?

 

[jegervais]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Classic symptoms of "2-lug clutchdog-itis". The lugs on the clutchdog have rounded off and are slipping off of their mating surface on the forward gear. Probably needs replacing. If you're fairly competent mechanically speaking that is, you may be able to handle it yourself. Get a service manual first. A clutch dog is about $60, you'll also need a seal kit.<br /><br />-John

 

[steelespike]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Sounds like the shift dogs are worn.Its normal <br />for them to wear.They are in the gearcase where the propshaft goes in.Fairly straight forward repair with a manual.Milky oil indicates seals are leaking they can be replaced at same time as dogs.Once you have repaired dogs shift carefully.<br />Slow engine slow as possible and shift crisply<br />that little crunch or clunk is the dogs meshing.<br />The jumping you feel now is the dogs sliping and grabbing.Ive heard you can use the reverse dogs to replace the forward dogs by swtching dogs around. But I would reccomend new.Get a manual and study it carefully It will save time,aggravation,frustration and money.Try the library first. There is a tab at top of page or<br /> Amazon.com Barnes and Noble etc. www.kencook.com<br /> Good luck.

 

[ontheboat]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Thanks Guys, this site has certainly earned it's reputation.

 

[ontheboat]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

I've been told this particular engine doesn't use seals.Has a "machined" seal.If this is true, ( I haven't broke it down yet),What should I use to reseal after gear replacement surgery?If the clutchdogs are shot ,will it be obvious.Should I maybe cosider replacing gear(s) or other assoc. parts while I'm at it?

 

[jegervais]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Please post your model number so we can determine exactly which engine you have. The micro-fiche for a 1980 15 hp (E15RLCS) shows the common back-to-back oil seals as well as o-rings and gaskets associated with newer style gearcases. And even those "machined" units had some type of oil seals, the 50's vintage ones typically used leather.<br /><br />-John

 

[ontheboat]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Model#15804B , Serial#E0004586. <br />Sorry<br />and Thanks

 

[Peter O]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Now.... that's a 1978 model.

 

[ontheboat]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Perhaps some of you will be proud to know I am paying a pro. to fix it for me.I hate to do it.Sometimes we must take the smart way out.<br />Mark H.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: '80 Evinrude 15hp

Mark, good move if you've never rebuilt a LU before. Sounds like you're in for a new clutch dog, and forward gear at minimum plus soft parts. There's a number of potential surprises for the uninitiated with LU repairs.<br />Jim