'96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

[willxuout]

I recently bought an 1987 23' Wellcraft with a 1996 Evinrude 225hp v6 Carburated outboard. Is there any reason that the top two cylinders would be fouling plugs while the other four are fine? I've had the engine tuned up, all six carbs looked at, float levels are fine, the right jets are installed in the carbs, I'm using the recommended champion plugs.<br /><br />The plug on the top port side looks black and oily only after two hours of operation. the top starboard side plug looks like it has a thick layer of carbon buildup and is a little dry if you ask me. The other four plugs are brown paper bag in color and oily like they should be. The motor runs smooth at all speeds. No misses.<br /><br />Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

It could be a number of things. The plugs might not be firing properly do to some ignition problem. The mixture could be rich and fouling the plug. Just because the carbs were looked at doesn't mean the carbs aren't at fault. Depends on how good a looker was doin the lookin.<br /><br />Do a compression test and report the numbers.

 

[willxuout]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

jimd,<br /><br />the mechanic that looked at it has been doing this for 20 years (supposedly). he actually told me to run it a little richer. ie 45:1 mix oil fuel. This 2-cycle stuff is new to me. I had a mercruiser previously. The first 2-cycle blew up afet only a few hours. (Very BAD Experience offshore). So I am a little gunshy. If it was a ignition problem wouldn't the engine run a little rough? the same mechanic checked the compression recently and he said it was fine. I also replaced the stator at the same time.

 

[ob]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

willxuout, has the VRO been diabled on this motor?Did the mechanic discuss the possibility of increasing the size of the air jets on the two upper carbs?

 

[willxuout]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

ob,<br /><br />he didn't suggest increasing the air jets. the only suggestion he had was to run a little more oil in the premix for the one carb that looked a little dry. the vro is disconnected.<br /><br />thanks

 

[ob]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

Did the thick layer of carbon buildup on the top starboard plug show up after only 2 hours of operation,assuming it started out clean and properly gapped?I don't know the history of the engine but if the stator had previously failed and this engine had some ignition issues perhaps the two upper cylinders were carboned up as a result.Has the engine been decarbed recently?

 

[willxuout]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

ob, good point. when i bought the motor the guy was running like 30:1 in the thing. anyway, we had an annual service done..new plugs..etc. took it out for the first time and after running all day..about 4 hours..it started missing. replaced the top two plugs with new ones on hand and it ran fine for 2 more hours. then it really started missing bad. barely got home. took it to the mechanic and he said it had spark on two cylinders only. replaced the stator. everthing works and he checked voltage and power pak. seems to be o.k. <br /><br />no the engine hasn't been decarbed lately...the engine has a new factory powerhead on it and was broken in on 25:1 premix with OMC oil. the motor has about 55 hours on it now.<br /><br />thanks

 

[ob]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

What plugs are you running ?QL82YC,QL77JC4,or QL16V.The QL82YC is the hotter of the three.All three are listed as optional.The QL16V is a surface gap plug.

 

[willxuout]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

ob, i believe they are the 77's

 

[ob]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

If they are the 77's I would recommend installing the QL82YC's .

 

[willxuout]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

ob, put the 82's in the top two only, or in all six? by the way, i run 87 octane amoco<br /><br />thanks

 

[ob]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

All six.

 

[willxuout]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

ob, after all of this i guess i should try the 82's plugs, decarb at least the top two cylinders.<br /><br />Right?<br /><br />By the way, I am running amoco 87 octane in the motor. Should I stay with this?<br /><br />Thanks for all the advice. I'll Let you know the outcome.

 

[ob]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

87 octane is fine.Your engine should be equipped with a schrader valve on the primer solenoid under the cowl,for OMC engine tuner decarb.Follow can instructions.Run the engine(in water up to speed after decarbing to evacuate all the crud.) QL82YC plug gap is .030.Might be a good idea to change plugs after the decarb and a water run.This will keep dislodged carbon from possibly fouling your new plugs.Good luck and post back with results.

 

[willxuout]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

ob, thanks

 

[willxuout2]

Re: '96 Evinrude 225hp V6 - Please Help??

^ refer to post in general outboard "to sue or not to sue"