Evinrude 115hp 70's, very stiff flywheel can't turn by hand

onedesign005

Recruit
Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
2
I have had this engine for about 2 yrs now. It is a 70's evinrude 115hp v4. Last year I took the boat out of the water for remodeling. When i took the boat out, i ran the engine dry for storage and haven't started it in about a year. It was hand turned once about 10 months ago but now that i'm done with the remodel i went to check to motor before putting it back on. The fly wheel is super stiff to turn. I can barely budge it by levering, and the starter can only move it about a half an inch each try... i don't have a clue what could be the issue except rust in the head or lower unit, but it ran great before i stored it. could it be the lower unit? are there any tests i can do before serious intrusion?
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: Evinrude 115hp 70's, very stiff flywheel can't turn by hand

Whip the plugs out, spray some oil in there, leave the plugs out for a while and try again.
 

tx1961whaler

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
5,197
Re: Evinrude 115hp 70's, very stiff flywheel can't turn by hand

It's not a good idea to run a multi-carbed motor out of gas. One carb will run out of fuel before the other, and those cylinders will run dry for quite a bit. I've done it on single carbs for years, but I shut them down before they completely run out.

If the oil soaking and gentle rocking of the flywheel do loosen it, then take off the lower end first to make sure that isn't locked up.
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Evinrude 115hp 70's, very stiff flywheel can't turn by hand

Take the plugs out, tilt the engine up as far as it will go and put a few tablespoons of Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder. Let it soak for a day or so and then try to turn it over. Use a socket wrench on the flywheel nut if you have to.

You should be able to free it up with no damage. The binding up is usually caused by lite surface rust in the cylinders. Whan free and you get it running the crud will blow out.
 

Eshaw150

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
295
Re: Evinrude 115hp 70's, very stiff flywheel can't turn by hand

But do not mix marvel with the gas as it wqill cause running isseus
 

onedesign005

Recruit
Joined
Jul 31, 2009
Messages
2
Re: Evinrude 115hp 70's, very stiff flywheel can't turn by hand

thank you all for the advice... however, i pulled the carbs and noticed a corrosion stream leading from the fuel jets into the block as if there was water in the bowls or something and it got tilted somehow to bleed back into the engine... I'm kinda thinking the main breaing my be corroded now too... looks like i'm just gonn ahve to piece it out. thank you all for the advice though! ... you live and you learn haha
 
Top