Evinrude Fastwin died on first test

[Balthazar]

Hi guys,

I bought an Evinrude 18hp 1962 which looked in a very good condition but died within first 10 min.

I have changed the impelor, put new sparks Champrion J4C and and new coils OMC. The engine ran well even if I was struggling to adjust the carb.

Once I have put it in the water, the engine could not accelerate at all, like suffocating and losing the power. Then died. I could not start the engine anymore despite all trials.
I have been advised to look again at the breakers or put the old coils back to see what happens.
One clue (strange enough) the engine does not suck the fuel anymore: when it was starting well, the glass bowl (fuel filter) was getting empty after 2-3 pulls. But since the engine started working, the glass bowl sit with the fuel on the same level. Drives me crazy This engine was running absolutely fine for few hours in a bucket but when I put it on my inflatable and gave some throttle it literally died.

Second think to add: it does not fire even if I put the fuel straight to the spark holes. I checked the sparks and in a daylight I can barely see tiny white ones (I don't know how they must be). Fresh fuel added to few times but no fire.

So, I have 2 things: the carb does not seem to suck the fuel and the engine does not fires :frusty:

Any advice, guys?
Thanks in advance

 

[Guest]

It sounds to me that you might have an air leak somewhere in your fuel line. When you squeeze the priming bulb does it get firm?, when the engine is running (Albeit badly) try squeezing the bulb and see if the engine restores power, this would indicate an air leak in the fuel system.

I have a 1973 25 Johnson (same powerhead) that would act like yours only it would drop a cylinder below a certain throttle setting, the leak was in the fuel connection on the tank.

another way to detect a leak is to install a section of clear tubing in the fuel line and try to fun the engine normally, if you see bubbles forming in the clear fuel line, you have an air leak.

You may find that the fuel hose from your tank to engine may be the culprit

On the spark side, if you remove one of the plugs, connect the lead, and ground the plug to any metallic part on the engine, you should see a nice white spark. Do this for both plugs to insure she is firing on both cylinders.

Thats where I would start.

 

[JJBoatr]

I agree, check the simple stuff first. If you have good spark and no air leaks I would go after the fuel pump next. Be sure to run it and trouble shoot the way CaptErich described by squeezing the primer bulb.

If the fuel pump is not the culprit, check compression on both cylinders with both plugs removed. I had a 56 Johnson 10hp that would run OK but I could not get it to tune up on the low or high speed side. In addition to it being awful to tune it was a bear to get started, even more so when it was hot. It wound up being a bad head gasket. Ten minutes and $24 later, the motor was running like new. Best of luck.

Josh B.

 

[Balthazar]

Hi guys, thanks for your help, will definitely try your suggested things. Ordered a new set of breakers, new, pump and thermostat, hope this WE everything will be sorted.

Cheers

 

[F_R]

Did you properly install the flywheel when you had it off? Tapers clean and dry and use a torque wrench to tighten the nut to 40-45 foot pounds? Failure to do so will result in a sheared flywheel key. Sounds like that may be what happened. I'm so glad they quit putting those glass bowls on motors. Everybody goes hyper when they see them nearly empty or half full. That is the Normal way they run. Same thing goes for see-through fuel hoses. Carburetors do not "suck" fuel. Air flowing through them as the motor runs is what sucks the fuel. More accurately, air pressure outside the carburetor pushes the fuel into the lower-pressure airstream.

 

[Balthazar]

Hi F_R, thanks for your input, I know the carb does not "suck" the air, it's the spray gun effect

Your note about flyweel is very precious, thanks, this is the first thing I will check this WE, I would never think about this issue! Great help

 

[JJBoatr]

Any updates on your motor?