Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

[DaveGH]

Hi folks, thanks for your help. It's a 66', tiller and pull start, and has been running great. New points, coils, condensors, carb cleaning, impeller, seals etc last year.

2 issues. 1.-Sputtering at idle(??), goes away when in gear and running... runs good.

2.- and more concerning. After running good for miles, starts right up and go to the next fishing spot, it's fine. I'll go to start it and it won't start. (usually starts on first pull) I see some of what looks like gas in the water, small quantities... won't start. When I pull the choke and max the throttle, it starts right up??!!

I know that's a technique to do when a motor is flooded (not sure if it's good to do or not) but it got it started so I could get home. The motor is warm, been running good... why would this happen? Thanks much.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

I have an '81 70 hp & it does the same thing. Especially after I've sat a while. I asked a mechanic friend of mine & he said warmed up is 165 degrees to a motor, anything below that is cold so it needs to be choked. I don't know but it makes sense to me.

 

[DaveGH]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

Maybe your right... but I don't like the gas I see, what could that be?

 

[restornator]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

A couple simple reasons why it would be hard starting after running are running on one cylinder and poor spark. Either will fowl up the plugs and show symptoms of flooding.

You may also have a stuck float needle that either causes the carburetor to flood or plugs up the fuel passage.

Gas tank may not be properly vented, which is something you may not notice for the first 20 minutes of running.

If it sputters at idle, you should make sure everything is gapped correctly and you have strong spark. A bad spark on one cylinder may go in and out at low speeds, but fire well at higher rpm's. Did you replace the plug wires? How slow does it idle?

it should idle like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLxxnlFtaT0

 

[lindy46]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

Sounds like lean sneeze at idle - just open up (turn counterclockwise) the low speed needle a 1/4 turn at a time until the sneeze goes away. That will richen up the mix. That would explain why you have to choke to re-start. A little oil/gas in the water is not unusual on these old motors.

 

[DaveGH]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

thanks guys, great stuff and site even for a non-mechanical person like me, lol
I put 400+ into this motor so I'm committed.

I hope it's not running on one plug? seems to run strong and I think they were checked so I doubt that, right? I'll keep the float needle issue in mind if it keeps up.
Which knob do I turn "counterclockwise" 1/4 turn while idling or low speed?

I have no idea what knobs do anything and I've left them alone. btw- is there a manual/diagram of the motor available for download or to buy?

One more thing- saw the video, seems to idle good but has that sputtering and the shift knob gets stuck in the forward position sometimes, have to force it into neutral. Any one have this problem? thanks again

 

[restornator]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

the slow speed needle knob is on the far right. The upper needle is the slow speed and is linked with a wire to the knob on the lower engine cover.

If the shift lever gets stuck, your shift arm is worn at the lock mechanism. You have to take the shift arm off (it comes up through the engine pan) and grind the upper section of the "E" shaped lock mechanism smooth.

What can cause this is the motor jumping out of gear and indenting the shift arm

 

[DaveGH]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

Thanks. Took it out yesterday, was running good. I adjusted the lean to rich dial counterclockwise a little. The SHIFT lever was pretty bad though. I'd have to knock it with my hand a bit to get it out of gear to neutral. When it does shift its very easy, maybe too easy? Like it could easily jump out of gear...
Anyways- how hard, involved is that job you mention? (to take the shift arm off and grind the upper "E" shaped section)

Thanks

 

[restornator]

Re: Evinrude 18 Fastwin- a couple questions....

it's pretty easy.

One screw tightens it down to the shift shaft, and the other is an adjustment screw held in by a square nut. Take off the spring that keeps pressure on the shift arm, and it will slide right off. You can grind it with a narrow grinding bit; i used my dremel