Evinrude 48 not idling, runs poor at low RPMs

XJ99

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
44
I have a 1993 Evinrude SPL and and having a hard time
getting it to idle. Even at low RPMs it runs bad. As soon
as I get on the throttle, it smooths out. Runs great at
WOT.

The other day I was trying to get it started and it wouldn't
stay running. Went back out, turned the slow needles out
a 1/2 turn, and it fires right up and runs pretty good!

So today, I take it out on the lake and it's running pretty
good with a slight sputter at an idle. At the dock, I raised
the engine up to reach the rear latch on the cover, turned
the needle out a 1/4 turn, and it just started running really
bad at an idle, and low at RPMS. (just like the other day!)
I put the needles back where they were, and it still wouldn't idle.

I'm looking through the maual, and it looks like there are
a couple of o-rings. The FSM says there should be an o-ring
on the groove at the needle head. My needle doesn't have a
groove. I took the needle out and it looks like a thin little piece
of rubber stuck on the carb where the spring seats. (used to be an o-ring?) :confused:
Bottom carb is bare metal.













Carbs were just rebuilt at a marina before I bought it.
 

XJ99

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
44
Re: Evinrude 48 not idling, runs poor at low RPMs

I've been searching the web for o-rings,
and I'm coming up blank. :confused:
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: Evinrude 48 not idling, runs poor at low RPMs

Post the model # so we know what you exactly have.
 

XJ99

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
44
Re: Evinrude 48 not idling, runs poor at low RPMs

1993 Evinrude 48 HP SPL VE48ESLETE.
 

XJ99

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
44
Re: Evinrude 48 not idling, runs poor at low RPMs

Still coming up empty on the o-rings...
 

phillnjack2

Ensign
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
918
Re: Evinrude 48 not idling, runs poor at low RPMs

both carbs should have the scres with springs.
sounds like somebody forgot to put the screw back in,or its come loose and fell down into the pan.
you definitely will not get it right without the needle in the carb without one.

phill
 

XJ99

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
44
Re: Evinrude 48 not idling, runs poor at low RPMs

Both carbs have screws with springs. I just thought there
should be an o-ring behind them.

I actually think the problem was the screws were backed
off way too far. I don't think they were ever seated all
the way before, you really need to crank on these things
to get the springs to compress. Once I figured this out it
was actually running a little lean. The idle was a little low
as well, but ran great on the lake at all RPMs!

I backed them out just a little more to richen it up, and
tweaked the idle. Runs good on the muffs, need to lake
test again. Before it would sometimes get stuck at mid
throttle even when I pulled the kill switch, and turned
the key off. (only on the muffs) I think it was running
to lean.
 
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