Engine cranks will not stay running

[Leonard Crain]

1988 85 hp Evinrude...just cleaned carbs... fuel getting thru fuel lines and pump...bulb pumped to fill bowls....engine will start and run with starting fluid...but will not run acts like out of no fuel thru carbs... need help please!

 

[HybridMX6]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

First off, don't use starting fluid, use a spray bottle filled with premixed fuel/oil.
As for the won't run, was there a primary reason you cleaned them in the first place, or is this the reason you cleaned them? If not, did it run before?
If you can hear the bowls filling up as you pump the bulb, and can hear the electric primer squirting the fuel in, and it still won't start, you need to check the spark. I'd think if it runs when sprayed directly through the carbs, that spark is fine, so I'd pull the carbs apart again and check them out. Did you use new rebuild kits on the carbs when you cleaned them or just use old parts? Sounds like something isn't right, like the idle speed is wrong or something.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

Stop what you are doing with the starter fluid. If you must try to start it this way use 50/1 mix in a spray bottle.

The starter fluid does not provide any lubrication to the internal parts and can cause a lot of engine damage.

Fuel going through the fuel pump when pumping the bulb does not always mean the fuel pump is working. This being said the first thing I would check is for proper choke operation.

With the key on push it in and see if the choke butterflys are closing or if you can hear the primer solenoid click depending on which type your engine has. Either type can be manually over ridden. Try to start it that way.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

Could you supply a model number, I don't see an 85 horse in 1988.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

Check the plugs when you are trying to start the engine. Are the plugs wet or dry?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

Check the plugs when you are trying to start the engine. Are the plugs wet or dry?

Agree. Job #1 in my book.
If plugs are wet then fuel is getting all the way through but not firing for whatever reason (TBD)
If plugs are dry then you need to check how far the fuel is getting through the system.

 

[Leonard Crain]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

You guys are great thanks for the intense warnings on the starter fluid. I do realize the potential damage and will use the 50/1 mixture great suggestion.

The carbs were removed and cleaned using same parts due to the engine would crank fine and run for about a minute then quit. Choke works fine on the test sugested...Not sure this one has an electric primer pump though!
After reinstalling the carbs the bulb seem to fill the bowls..and then get pretty hard..removing the card drains is difficult as they are hard to get to..but removed the top carb drain right side and a little gas came thru..
thought floats and needles were stuck, but they cleaned up real well!
Sort of stumped here... looking for model # as well maybe an 87 or 86?
Appreciate your help!
L Crain

 

[jonesg]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

if you consistently need to spray fuel into the carbs to get it to fire , what more do you need to know, ?

its got a fuel delivery problem.!

The carbs ought to be rebuilt using new parts, jets removed and run thru with wire to make positive they are cleared out.
New float needles and seats.

Yes the float needle closes but you don't know that they open properly when the float drops. When they wear they stick closed.

You'll need the model number to order rebuild kits for carbs, so...is there a plate on the leg or a quarter sized silver disk on the block with numbers? Thats what you need to find.

 

[Leonard Crain]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

Well as it turns out...I really did'nt need to know anything else...
I rebuilt the carbs...cleaning all jets etc...as suggested....and its doing ok now....somtimes I guess you just need to hear from somone else that you need to spend 65.00 for carb and pump kits...
I appreciate the help...now off the water and on to the grass cutting where I have a craftsman 18.5 ohv shearing flywheel keys.... any auggestions for a good non marine small engine forum......
Thanks
L Crain

 

[jonesg]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

Yeh the flywheel isn't torqued down tight enough, that is a very common cause for sheared woodruf keys.
I hammer mine down with an impact wrench real good.
Do it like it a lugnut on your car.
Be sure the shaft is clean and grease free before seating the flywheel down.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Engine cranks will not stay running

Well as it turns out...I really did'nt need to know anything else...
I rebuilt the carbs...cleaning all jets etc...as suggested....and its doing ok now....somtimes I guess you just need to hear from somone else that you need to spend 65.00 for carb and pump kits...
I appreciate the help...now off the water and on to the grass cutting where I have a craftsman 18.5 ohv shearing flywheel keys.... any auggestions for a good non marine small engine forum......
Thanks
L Crain

Bad flywheel fit to the shaft and not torqued correctly are major causes of key shearing.