Dropped my running 1975 Evinrude 4HP in the lake...need guidance

bob marco

Recruit
Joined
Oct 6, 2008
Messages
4
OK, yes, I did it. I have it on my canoe and I start and stop it a lot while fishing (trolling). It must have worked itself loose, so on a restart I pulled, grabbed the tiller, and the engine just jumped off the transom.

Well, I wasn't about to let go of the tiller, but I wasn't strong enough to keep it out of the water. The cover was warped, so didn't keep any water out, and within about 3-4 seconds, the running engine died (I thought my hand was going to also;) )

I paddled back home, took off the cover and had a look. Tried to crank her a couple of time, with not even a hint of success (as expected). Took her up to the house and took out the plugs and rotated the engine for a while by hand. Liquid came out of the plug holes, but it smelled like gas only. Tried to crank it a few more times, but to no avail.

Had to leave it for a week. This past weekend, I had a little more time so I opened up the cylinder cover and cleaned everything up a bit. Sprayed in a little starter fluid and closed her back up. Then I took off the fuel pump (carefully, but not carefully enough). I wanted to try to ensure that no water had gotten into the air intake line of the fuel pump. Anyway, the darn fuel pump sprung apart and I had to rebuild it by hand. I think I did a decent job. And I was able to get all liquid out of the air intake line.

The next morning, took her down to the lake and cranked, and cranked, and cranked. I pretty much had given up after about 100 cranks, but for some reason I didn't. Eventually, it showed signs of life. And eventually it fired.

At first, I'd keep it running for only seconds at a time, but eventually I was able to keep it running. I let it run for about 15 minutes without stopping to try to dry out.

Bottom line, it obviously wasn't running clean and strong. It didn't sound right, it vibrated more than it had previously, and didn't push my canoe through the water as fast as it had previously (not really even close). But the biggest problem is that even after running for a while, it still takes 10+ strong pulls to start. Before submersion, it would always start back up on the first pull after getting warm.

On my canoe, I can't use an engine which is hard to start. If I try, I'll be swimming in no time.

Is there anything I can do to revive this engine to original power and consistency?

Thanks for any guidance.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Dropped my running 1975 Evinrude 4HP in the lake...need guidance

Do a compression check. It is possible that water ingestion caused a blown head gasket.

Check that the flywheel key is not sheared, throwing timing off.

Check for a hot, blue 5/16" spark for each cylinder. Water can also cause havoc with magnetos.

Overhaul the carburetor, with particular attention to the three tiny orifices that feed into the throat.

Let us know what you find. . .or. . .just get another and send me that one. :)
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: Dropped my running 1975 Evinrude 4HP in the lake...need guidance

And ditch the starter fluid!! That stuff is bad, bad, bad when it comes to 2-stroke outboards!
- Scott
 

lbentz

Seaman
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
66
Re: Dropped my running 1975 Evinrude 4HP in the lake...need guidance

Well, fortunately, you got it running again. That's the main thing. Running it will help get all the water out of the inside of the engine. Ideally, you want to get it running, as soon as possible, to prevent any rust damage from starting on the moving parts. If getting it running isn't possible, at least flush the engine through real well, with fresh new gas and oil mix, to ensure the water is gone. It only takes minutes for rust to begin. This is a good note for anyone who happens to read this, incase this should happen to you.

Good Luck and happy boating.

Leon
 
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