HELP - new boat owner - Evinrude 85 hp 1973

[bazeven]

I purchased a boat this past weekend with an older 85hp Evinrude outboard. We put it out in the water yesterday and everything ran great for an hour. We parked by the dock and ate some dinner. After dinner, the engine will start and run with the high idle way up, but as soon as I move it down (either part or all the way) the engine quits. I tried several times, and the engine will idle fine with the fast idle open, but you cannot put it into forward or reverse gear with the fast idle open. Ideas?<br /> <br />I mixed fresh gas prior to going out the first time and filled the tank. Again, it ran fine for an hour - between full open and just putting around. The water pump was just replaced, and while running it was spitting water. The motor purred prior to not being able to go out after dinner. Thoughts? Is there an easy way to turn up the idle slightly? The engine was complete gone through by a professional this last spring. <br /> <br />Appreciate any help!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: HELP - new boat owner - Evinrude 85 hp 1973

Welcome!!<br /><br />Lets start with the basics. If it idled well before dinner it should not need the idle set up. We may have lost spark on a cylinder. Lets do this --<br /><br />1- Check compression. Just so we know where we are.<br />2- Check spark. I'd almost bet we lost spark on a cylinder.<br /><br />Now this is assuming the tank is vented, no flat or empty fuel line bulb, the fuel line remains connected, all the spark plug wires are on, etc.....

 

[raven564]

Re: HELP - new boat owner - Evinrude 85 hp 1973

I would listen to the suggestions by Dhadley first, but....<br /><br />I had that happen to me twice with a Nissan 70. Once it turned out that the oil was way too rich. The other time, one carb (two cylinders, two carbs) was clogged after running for about 30 minutes just fine. Therefore, one cylinder was running OK, the other was not getting fuel. After cleaning bowl out at the dock, it ran fine.

 

[bazeven]

Re: HELP - new boat owner - Evinrude 85 hp 1973

I went out tonight and have found that it has to do with the high idle cable that runs between the control box and the motor. The plastic<br />shroud is loose - allowing the high idle lever to move the shroud vs the cable inside the shroud. Are there any tricks to opening the<br />control box to tighten down the idle cable? Anything that I have to look out for?<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Brad Z