Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

[Huckleberry Finn]

Hello.

I do have a serious problem with my engine. I bought it some months ago, and it was working fine in the beginning.
One day when I was heading out to the sea, it didn't anymore..

All of a sudden I couldn't get enough revs out of it. When it was running idle, there's no problem. When I put the gear on, there IS a problem. All the power disappears to somewhere... I can go on with max. 5 knots if even that.

Well, I took it up and changed just about everything, including gasline, sparking plugs etc.
Put it back to water, and everything worked fine at first but then the same disease appeared again. Crawling forward.

Now I want to ask you, what could possibly be wrong.
I've checked the gasline; it's ok. Sparks are just fine. Water runs with no trouble.

I don't know about the VRO-system, I may have to block it but I just wonder could it be only the VRO?
Is there a system that limits RPM if the engine gets too hot? Not that I've noticed it has ever heatened too much..
I have also heard about s.w.a.t or whatever it's name was, some sort of system anyway that could be related to engine heatening or lack of oil. That's about everything I know about it...
I wish I could find out what's wrong with the damn thing, so that I don't have to give in and take it to a repairshop. That would be humiliating.

Anxiously waiting for good answers, thanks in advance.
And if someone's wondering how am I writing so bad language , it's because this isn't my mother language. I'm Finnish.

 

[JB]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

I think you are running on one cylinder, Huck.

Changing parts is possibly the worst thing you can do.

See what happens if you squirt some premix fuel into each carb. If it picks up power you have located a clogged carb.

Good luck.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

When your turn the ignition key to RUN (not START) do you hear a chirp from the warning horn. If not, the warning system or horn is not working and you may indeed be overheating. Just because there is a good stream of water from the tell-tale does not mean its not overheating. S.L.O.W. (Speed Limiting Overheat Warning) activates if the temp sensor is activated. This limits RPM to 2500 or so. Running on one cylinder is also a possiblity as was mentioned. A bad power pack (ignition module) is another possiblity. When the engine acts up, check for spark on both cylinders. If the carbs have never been cleaned and rebuilt, its probably time for that as well.

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

No, sorry, but that's not it.
I'd know if it was about running on only one cylinder. And I also cleaned the carbs, too. As well as I changed the old gas tank to a new one and threw old gas away.
Besides the thing was s.l.o.w, not s.w.a.t, I guess. Not so far away, anyway.. 8)

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

When your turn the ignition key to RUN (not START) do you hear a chirp from the warning horn. If not, the warning system or horn is not working and you may indeed be overheating. Just because there is a good stream of water from the tell-tale does not mean its not overheating. S.L.O.W. (Speed Limiting Overheat Warning) activates if the temp sensor is activated. This limits RPM to 2500 or so. Running on one cylinder is also a possiblity as was mentioned. A bad power pack (ignition module) is another possiblity. When the engine acts up, check for spark on both cylinders. If the carbs have never been cleaned and rebuilt, its probably time for that as well.

That's a tricky one.. OK, when I turn the key I can't hear any kind of warning sound. Or at least I think I didn't. What the hell, I'd remember if I'd hear that. There was no sound.

But:
1) How would I know if it was overheating?
2) If so, could it be the thermostat? (sounds too easy...)
3) What's that power pack you wrote about? And if it's broken, how would I know it (meaning can I measure it somehow)?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

Without the warning system working you don't know if its overheating. That's why I asked if you get a chirp when you turn the key to RUN. Disconnect the tan wire near the temperature sensor. Turn the key to RUN and ground the tan wire (not the sensor end) the other end. If the warning horn does not sound they system needs repair. Yes - the thermostat can stick closed and cause an overheat condition. The power pack is the electronic ignition. If you intend to work on this engine yourself, you are getting into areas where you really need a service manual specific to your engine. Detailed testing procedures for the horn, power pack, stator, water pump, etc are far too detailed to go into here.

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

[b]I'd know if it was about running on only one cylinder

Would you? Not as obvious as you think.........my 40 is a 1989...not an ETEC though, didn't know they made a 89 ETEC...anyway, not to sound to simple about this but is your tank vent open.........do you have a transon fuel vent, is the hose kinked or clogged? My old 35 Rude had a hornts nest in it and did the exact thing that you are explaining? Just a thought.

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

Thanks Silvertip.

I think I'll start with testing the warning system and changing the thermostat first. If it doesn't help I think I give up and take it to a local boat repairshop. It's just hard to believe that blocking the VRO would do any good, don't know. What do you think?

And thanks Tiller, too.

I was pretty sure I'd know if the other cylinder was out, but you made me unsure... Well, like I said, when the engine is running idle the sound and everything is just perfect. If I raise revs, no problem. And when testing on ashore, it works properly even with the gear on. But wait until I put it back to water...
Could it possible that the other cylinder drops dead when I try to drive with the engine? Unlikely, I think, but just can't be sure.
By the way, it's ecec, not etec. I don't even know what's the difference but those letters are in the plate.
There's nothing wrong with the fuel system, I've got a new gastank and gasline all the way from tank to engine.
And yes, I checked the vent.. Very first thing before asking from anyone.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

Tiller - we are not talking about a 1989 Etec. If you feel the VRO may be a problem, its simple to bypass it. Disconnect the oil line. Cap the inlet fitting on the engine and disconnect the harness on the port side of the engine. Premix fuel at 50:1 and try it. If it doesn't help, the VRO was not the problem. You really need to check for spark on both cylinders. Use an old spark plug and open the gap to as wide as you can make it. If the spark produces a solid blue snap its ok but may be breaking down under load. The power pack, coil, and stator are all components of the ignitiion system. The service manual outlines how to do these tests. Have you tried pushing the key in when the engine acts up. If it picks up this is indication of a fuel problem. If the engine seems to shudder at 2500 rpm rather than just run slow but smooth, ignition is more than likely the problem. Check the power pack ground connection.

 

[Huckleberry Finn]

Re: Evinrude E 40 ecec -89

Hi again guys, I need more help...

I took off the thermostat and cooked it. Didn't open up in the boiling water so I bought a new one and oh boy was I satisfied, it must have been the damn thing that caused me all the trouble.

I changed it and put my boat back to water, but still the same thing. Idling is perfect, revs go sky high with no gear on but when I try to move... Only few knots and not enough revs.

Then I tried pushing the choke and noticed that the engine is running faster! So I drove some more with pushing the choke, works good but when I take my finger off revs go down but not as much as before pushing the button.

That must be something to do with gasoline, I realize that.
But like I said earlier, I've changed the whole line from tank to engine. Also a new tank and new, clean gas. Carbs are cleaned, fuel pump is checked, there's no hole in the film (or what's the name of that thing?).

I laso noticed that my warning system is working, at some level at least.. After few minutes of driving a terrible noise came out of the remote control. I took the boat back to quayside and let it be for a while. After that, nothing. Still no sound when I turn the key to RUN. but I bet I will the hear the sound again at some place...

So please. Help me, what should I do next with the gasoline thing or do I have to install an eletcronic fuel pump to get enough gas?