Hesitation in engine when planning off?

4link1955

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 12, 2002
Messages
44
I have a 1977 135Hp Evinrude that we went through and put all new parts in it a few years ago. The motor has run great and still does. The only thing I have noticed is that when I first put the boat in the water it has got so that when I try and plane off for the first time it has a bad hesitation in it and then it clears up and runs on. It won't do it anymore for the rest of the day. I always run the motor on the waterhose just before I put it in the water so that it will crank easier in the water for the first time, so I don't think it's because the motor is cold. I see other boats dropping them in the water and hitting the throttle and they go right on with no hesitaion at all. It doesn't hurt anything other than my pride when there are people standing on the pier looking at me and it sounds like $hit for about 2 seconds. Do any of you have any suggestions on what could be causing this and what I can do to eliminate if possible?<br /><br />Thanks in advance:<br />Jason
 

KennyKenCan

Commander
Joined
Aug 26, 2002
Messages
2,501
Re: Hesitation in engine when planning off?

Jason,<br /><br />Allow the engine to come up to operating temperature before putting into gear and going.<br /><br />An outboard engine should be at operating temp before attempting to put a load on it.<br /><br />Hope that helps.<br /><br />Kenny
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Hesitation in engine when planning off?

Basic info may help narrow it down. Are the carbs clean? What fuel? How old? What oil and ratio? What spark plugs (be specific)? What are the wot rpm's?<br /><br />Not that it makes a great deal of difference but 1977's were 140's. 135's were from 73 to 76. <br /><br />Good luck!
 

4link1955

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 12, 2002
Messages
44
Re: Hesitation in engine when planning off?

Dhadley,<br />The carbs are clean as far as I know. We looked at them last year and they looked ok. The gas in not old, it was just bought this season. I'm running 87 octane with a Penzoil TCW-3 oil. I'm not sure about the __:1 ratio, what I have always been told was to mix 1qt of oil to 12 gallons of gas and thats what I've been doing for years. My wide open throttle with my current 19" SS Prop is around 4900-5000 rpms. I run the champion plugs UL77V in it right now. I haven't changed then on a few years so that may be the culprit.<br /><br />Oh yea, you mentioned about the 140 vs 135. The motor is a '77 115 with the 135 exhaust and 135 carbs and heads on it. So would that make it a 135 or is it a 140? The motor has been bored .030" over also.<br /><br />Thanks:<br />Jason
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Hesitation in engine when planning off?

A decarb job is in order for sure, if you havent done one in the last 20 to 30 hours (run time). The motor will coke up and stick the rings very quickly lugging it like that.<br /><br />If the motor has been sitting for a while (storage) a carb job cant hurt.<br /><br />The fuel and oil are excellent as is the ratio (50:1). The spark plugs are OK - expensive but OK. You can use the (Q)L77JC4 also.<br /><br />As for the actual hp - its like a 135. But at that rpm you probably wouldnt see any difference between a flat back V4 cf or the bubble back V4 cf.<br /><br />Good luck!
 

4link1955

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 12, 2002
Messages
44
Re: Hesitation in engine when planning off?

Dhadley,<br />Is that plug you recomended a gap plug? I have heard you mention something about the decarb process and was wondering what do I need to get to do it with and what is the process for doing it? <br /><br />Thanks for all the help:<br />Jason
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Hesitation in engine when planning off?

There are sever good threads about the process. Basically get a can of Engine Tune (or equivelent) from your local Evinrude / Johnson dealer and simply follow the directions. You will need a new set of plugs afterwards. Unless you have an old set that still work.<br /><br />It ammounts to nothing more than running the motor, spraying or injecting it in, let the motor set and restart. Run it long enough to get it all out. Dont let it sit longer than the instructions say.<br /><br />You may want to take compression just to compare a before and after deal.<br /><br />Yes the (Q)L77JC4's are a gapped plug. They work quite well.<br /><br />Good luck!
 
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