Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HELP PL

[djzyla1980]

<scratching head><br />Where should I begin... I purchased a 72 16' sea ray boat with a 1970 115 evinrude motor. DID NOT PAY MUCH FOR THE COMPLETE PACKAGE so I knew what to expect. Actually I got well over my monies worth. But know I'm stuck trouble shooting problems left and right on a tight budget. Took it out on the water for the first time after I did some work on it at home...to get it water ready...and to get the motor running (although it wasn't hard fired right up)<br />First I have it on the hose and foward and reverse switch fine in the water theres no reverse...goes forward only?<br />Second idles well but when trying to get to plane it has a hard time going. Actually I tried many throttle positions and the only way I could get it to go was to full throttle it (plates moving like they should)and "Cruise" at 15-20mph (no Gage)and eventually (couple of minutes) it would increase RPM's slowley and speed with cover off. Put cover on no plane. So exaust leak? might be but I was on the water for about 2 hours and burned 6 gallons of gas going alot of no where slowly. So it leads me to believe it is Cables, ditributor, power pak or plugs (all have been replaced) When it picks up on the RPM's it flies but until then you look like granny running a track meet. NOW when it planes and goin good it litterally throws water into the back of the boat, until it just dies with no warning (maybe 7 minutes)..not hot just done. turn key starts right up. I tried all hole positions on this boat and NO CHANGE at all. The water is not just a little spray... I had to turn the pump on to get the water out (literally filling boat). From what I can tell water is getting pushed up between the motor and transom and following the curve of the housing to "dump" it into the boat. The water thing has got me. Maybe the motor needs raised or lowered on it's bracket or is it the prop? Not going to try anything until someone that knows what there talking about tells me to. I have a manual for this motor comming but still waiting and would like to get this fixed. So what to check...fuel delivery and filter is new, P.P. dist and cable,plugs new, Compression tests in range with each other. Who needs Reverse? the boats foam is dry... replaced floor. Please help me get outta my granny stage. RPM issue has to be either ignition or fuel delivery but what to check now?? and the water.... IT"S GOT ME<br />PLEASE HELP!!!!! Sorry for the long topic

 

[mjash]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Did you rebuild the carbs? Thats a good starting point. Why are you taking on so much water? do you have a splashwell?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Measure, and see where the cavitation plate is in relation to the bottom of the boat. It sounds like that engine is sitting to low in the water. For now! the plate should be level with the bottom. That engine used seperate mounting bracket's that bolt to the transom, so the engine has to be raised to clear these bracket's to make the adjustment. If need be, do you have a means of doing this? Whatever means, be careful, that engine weigh's 250 lbs. Are you running on a 6 gal. remote tank, or does the boat have a built in tank? If built in, try running on a 6 gal. remote. The hub of the prop should be stamped as to what dia., and pitch it is. Get back to us, and let us know where you are at in regards to the above.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

For your shifting problem check the oil in the lower unit. In fact replace it so you know it has the right type in it. You have an electric shift and that requires a special oil (type C I believe). Check the oil for water in it. With no oil or watered down oil it will stay in fwd gear. Also replace the gaskets on the drain and vent plugs. Your manual will tell you how to trouble shoot the rest of it if you still have problems.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Took a look this morning. The cavitation plate is about 2 1/2" below the bottom of the boat. I will raise but how much go up the 2"? <br /><br />Prop is 13 3/4 x 15<br /><br />Will Tackle Carbs today along with LU oil..<br /><br />Gas tank is a remote plastic with new lines etc. I also but a bit of gas in the tank slushed it around and dumped before starting the motor with it.<br /><br /><br />Does that seem like alot of gas usuage to you???

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Let me add this boat was only $100 so I expected things to be wrong...<br /><br />yes there is a splash well but it taking on more water then the drain plugs could empty

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Drained the LU oil and found VERY low level and water.. resealed lower unit and filled with fresh oil.. Do you suggest after I go out once to change it again to rid the water that might be left?<br /><br />Had it running on the hose and noticed under the flywheel 2 plug wires are arcing to the closest ground. Would this cause my Extremely slow take off's? To me this would cause loss of power all the time not just some time....unless they eventually stop arcing due to vibrations Thought?<br /><br />Also does anyone know the plug gap on this beast??

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

According to my old book, plugs should be .030<br />Those plug wires should never arc.<br />Motor needs to raised at least 2.4 in. <br />Keep an eye on the lower unit oil in case water<br />is getting in thru a bad seal.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

OK.... Found the LU oil.... They've discontinude the type c fluid and came out with a "Premium" Blend to take it's place. I also questioned "before in water" that I thought the throttle should move more than it did. I messed with it a bit and it was fine. But tonight I noticed...on accident messing with the carbs that throttle and movement at carbs didn't feel or look right so I messed with the throttle body a bit and it seems to be much better.... not saying this was my problem but it prolly wasn't helping things. <br /><br />NOW THE MOTOR MOUNT.... who in the H#!! designed this one. It was a grand balancing act between 2x4's, nylon straps, and the good ol car jack. Finally got it up but then ran into probs. Figured out this was not the only motor mounted on this boat and when this one was installed they drilled the bottom right bracket hole 3/8 lower then it should have been. So the only movement I got from it was about 1 1/2 inch. <br />Should help... but will have to see.. might have to figure something else out <br /><br />going to tinker with things more tommorrow and see if the wife will let me take it and the kids to the lake for another fun filled day of granny track....maybe

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

ARGHHHHHH...... This motor makes no sense to me... and it's even worse I know nothing about it. I got rid of the arcing plug wires and now all four cylinders are buring fuel(got it to putt and pulled plugs smoke exited no wet plugs)But the DAMN THING won't run more then a putt.... and for a few seconds.... which is begining me to think the timming is out 180<br /><br />Alot of smoke out of exhaust... exhaust backfire here and there while turning it over....<br /><br />sheard key when I first took the flywheel off replaced and ran what I thought is strong but it wasn't on the lake.. So heres where I stand now<br /><br />-Raised motor 1 1/2 inches could'nt go any farther<br />-All Plugs firing but now won't start (timing 180 off?)<br />-LU oil changed<br />-never got to carbs...saw the arcing and decided to get it firing right before I did any carb work<br /><br />Any thought on prop thats on it??<br /><br />Why would it start and run running on cylinders 1&2 but get all 4 running and it don't... I'm back to the beginning except I have a new key and the motor is up a bit.....

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Ok.... this was really bugging me and since I work on alot of auto's and small engines(know there not the same but concept wise) And rotated the timing 180, put her back together, got down on my knees threw my arms in the air (with key in hand of course)and prayed to the fiberglass hull gods that this damn thing would start... put the key and bam within 1/4 turn of the flywheel she was runnin and runnin strong. <br /><br />Still looks as though the prop is only movin foward.... any easy way to get oil in the lower unit.... seemed like it wasn't takin any

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

They make a small pump just for that. It screws into the top of the bottle of oil. There should be 2 plugs in the lower unit. One low and one up higher. Take them both out and let it drain. Now take the pump and screw the other end into the lower hole. Start pumping until oil start coming out the upper hole. Install the plug in the upper hole, then remove the pump and install the plug there. Use new gaskets on both plugs. Someone needs to verify this as there may be a 3rd plug that you shouldn't touch. Another memory lapse.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Did not see a third plug.... But some very strange thing happened today while running on the hose.... It started to over heat... to hot to touch even a second.. checked the hot horn and nothing.... so I thought I'd tear the lower end off and double check the impellor... Impellor looked as good as new and same with key... did notice 2 bolts on sileniod unit were loose.... so changed gasket and put it back together.... funny thing is... didn't change anything but the gasket and when I ran it it ran fine.... cool as before.... What the heck... begining to think it's got a mind of it's own and it don't want me to know it

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

OK... In driveway before lake...<br />-Since hot horn out I decided to rig a tell tale through the lower cowling (through the 1/8 plug on block and some hose) <br />-hooked it up to muffs and no water out it again...<br />-looked at flywheel noticed it was running backwards... <br />-shut it down and started it back up ran right direction (when starting it would hiccup and turn backwards)<br />-said hell with it see what it does on the lake<br />got it on the lake.. Heres what happened:<br /><br />-Fired right up but idle was REALLY rough<br />-tried to get it to throttle higher it died<br />-took cover off started right back up and ran better..but still bogging down<br />-Adjusted idle jets on carb and it ran better.... but not great still could'nt get it to full throttle with throttle wide open<br />-finally like before it started to kick in.<br />-adjusted carbs a bit more and put the cover on it and replaced hose clamps on fuel lines(was going to head back in thinking it was lost cause)<br />-tried to get to plane this time MUCH better and quicker "plane" time but still not as fast as I think it should be....but least it's running with cover on<br />-thought thats enough for one night but my 3 year old girl started balling cause we were headin back so I gave it one more time<br />-MUCH BETTER RESPONSE spent the rest of the night pretty much cruisin the lake... seems like theres a miss... but I'm thinking lower carb is flooding out (fuel spuddering through front)<br />-used 6 gallons of gas in 3 hours but most of time on plane and cruisin<br />-water in boat situation.... ALOT better but still will have to go up some more...looks like it's drill time... I believe this will fix my "plane" time also?<br /><br />Guess it's time to pull the carbs...what do you think?

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

oh yes did also notice that it seemed to cut in and out slightly while WOT... thinking this is the carb prob and not spark.... specially if carb is flooding plug?

 

[dragula65000]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

It sounds like you have a lot of problems like i have. I'm happy to hear that your making progress. Try rebuilding your carbs. It may help. What type of ignition do you have? If it's points, try to adjust them, or just get new ones. I don't know a lot about your motor. I have a 1989 175 GT with a small demon in it causing problems. All my problems come when the motor is in the water. It kinda sounds like an ignition problem now, but for 100 buks you cant beat it!

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Some of these have a mind of it's own... it's just figuring out what it is... at least theres progress going on... I'd prolly would have sunk her if there wasn't.. After a little bit of work to the interior she turned out to be a nice lookin boat.... trial an error trial and error until she's running good.<br /><br />Tearing the carbs apart as we speak...

 

[sycamore]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

If it makes your daughter happy, it's worth it.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Ok... took a look at carbs and all was clean... looked like very new gaskets... Now I noticed that the damn thing is still flooding out... Didn't rebuild them just cleaned blew and put it back together.... now I read somewhere that in some motors the jets were different for upper and lower carbs.... Is this one of them?<br /><br />I put them back together as I took them out but just wondering if this could be a possiblity....<br />since it looks like work has been done all over this engine.<br />Thanks in advance<br /><br />Also drilled a new hole to raise motor bracket... She's up as far as she'll go and plate is level with bottom of boat. Will have to see what she does next time out.

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Re: Boat out for first time in my hands has many problems...Boat or Motor? HEL

Oh yes.... My exact prob on the carb is upper seems to be thirsty for fuel and lower floods out.... (gas outta front)