I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

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MotorBoatingMatt

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May 23, 2011
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Hi fellow boaters. I have 1968 18 HP Evinrude outboard model #18802A. mid 90s PSI on both cylinders. Water peeing strong. I bought this engine about a month ago, very clean inside and out ($360, good deal?). Guy said he inherited this outboard from a friend of his who had it sitting for years. When I looked at it he had it in the bucket of water and pulled it and it fired right up. Ran it a few minutes, turned it off, pulled it and started back up and ran no problem at all. About a month after I bought it I got it in a bucket (now that my boat is actually ready) and tried firing it up but I'm having some problems.

The engine will start and run for about 30 seconds and then slowly die. Sometimes I hear some nasty backfires from it too. I try pulling it over again...same thing. Sometimes when I just pull start it won't start but backfire and jerk quite abruptly. Then I can't get it to fire or do anything. If I wait a few hours the same thing will happen at the beginning of this paragraph. I read all the FAQs on awakening an outboard and carb cleaning, but this is what baffles me....if the carb needed cleaning (thats what I'm suspecting) how did this guy have it running so perfectly when I bought it? More info...

When I got the engine I put a 50:1 mix of TCW-3 engine oil mixed with regular gasoline. The guy told me he was running Omega 2-cycle oil through it and also put a bottle of sea foam in the gas tank. I haven't tried switching the oil and putting Seafoam in the engine YET, I was wondering if there are other things I should be worried about first. Or, if that will even make a difference. The guy said he never touched anything in the engine when he got it, which blows my mind away of how he had it running great when I bought it. Again, I'm not sure what could be wrong...I'm assuming carbs but I'm NEW to boating and in need of help! If carb does need cleaning, I couldn't find a kit anywhere online for this engine. Suggestions? Let me know what you guys think! Thanks!
 
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Monte1961

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

One thing to check for is cork float/s. They can drive you crazy with carb issues!
 
jbjennings

jbjennings

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

One thing you should probably do besides following the advice above and cleaning the carburetor, (it is pretty easy, but I advise NOT removing the high speed orifice plug unless you have the correct tool) is changing out the fuel lines. Along with the pesky cork floats, the ethanol in today's fuel will wreak havoc on old fuel lines and reclog carbs right after you clean them and run the motor for a few minutes. A super helpful moderator here often mentioned this to new motor owners, and I found that advice to be very true. I suspect it could be your problem as well.
Good luck,
JBJ
 
samo_ott

samo_ott

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

Welcome to the forum. And to answer one of your questions, I just sold a '62 E18 last week for the same $360 (Canadian $$$ and it included tank & hose - but it ran excellent and started 2nd pull every time). It's about the going rate around here.
 
1946Zephyr

1946Zephyr

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

Yep, those old 18's are among the top 5 OMC products ever built and I would put it in the first 2. I've own several of the 18's myself and swear by them. My favorite year is the 57 - 58 models. The 60's vintage are good, but I'm not a big fan of the fiberglass hood models on those. The doggon rubber mounts on the lower shroud usually fail and if you grab the hood to beach the motor, the hood is liable to come off in your hand. LOL But, all in all, they are extremely reliable motors, the whole time they were produced and a good running one will give you years of trouble free service.
 
kenmyfam

kenmyfam

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

The key to this is the statement you made that "The Guy said he never touched it"
That means that you need to do maintenance on the carb's, water pump and lower unit at a minimum.
Just my 2 cents though.
 
1946Zephyr

1946Zephyr

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

Yep, I second that. It has been sitting for years and these things will need to be taken care of, especially if you want to get a lot of years from your investment.
 
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jimmacl

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

My guess is the gas sat in the carb and hoses. When you started the motor I tiny bit of float/hose/gum got sucked in the jets. Get a carb kit and clean that carb.

Great motors.

jim
 
samo_ott

samo_ott

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

1946Zephyr said:
Yep, those old 18's are among the top 5 OMC products ever built and I would put it in the first 2. I've own several of the 18's myself and swear by them. My favorite year is the 57 - 58 models. The 60's vintage are good, but I'm not a big fan of the fiberglass hood models on those. The doggon rubber mounts on the lower shroud usually fail and if you grab the hood to beach the motor, the hood is liable to come off in your hand. LOL But, all in all, they are extremely reliable motors, the whole time they were produced and a good running one will give you years of trouble free service.
Click to expand...

I concur!
 
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MotorBoatingMatt

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

DJ said:
You are describing a "lean sneeze".

Your carb probably got fouled after running it.

You can get individual pieces here.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/BRP/EVINRUDE/parts.html
Click to expand...


Thanks for your responses everyone. Okay, so it seems like the consensus is that I should rebuild the carb, replace the fuel lines, and check the cork too. I can't find a carb "kit" that comes with everything in one package for this motor. Does anyone know what parts on this list associated with the link would comprise a carb kit? Also, does the type of oil I'm using make a difference like "the guy" thought it would? Lastly *breathe*, does anyone know where the adjustment knob should be for the lean adjustment? I think turning it counter clockwise makes it richer and opposite for clockwise??? Should that be adjusted at all either based on the problem? I really appreciate everyones patience and help with this. I know you guys are extremely knowledgable in this area and your help is most appreciated!

Before I bought this engine I heard amazing things about it which is why I decided to pick one up. I can't wait to get it in the water!
 
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Monte1961

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

Thats just gotta know where to look! Happy Boating!
 
jbjennings

jbjennings

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

MotorBoatingMatt said:
Thanks for your responses everyone. Okay, so it seems like the consensus is that I should rebuild the carb, replace the fuel lines, and check the cork too. I can't find a carb "kit" that comes with everything in one package for this motor. Does anyone know what parts on this list associated with the link would comprise a carb kit? Also, does the type of oil I'm using make a difference like "the guy" thought it would? Lastly *breathe*, does anyone know where the adjustment knob should be for the lean adjustment? I think turning it counter clockwise makes it richer and opposite for clockwise??? Should that be adjusted at all either based on the problem? I really appreciate everyones patience and help with this. I know you guys are extremely knowledgable in this area and your help is most appreciated!

Before I bought this engine I heard amazing things about it which is why I decided to pick one up. I can't wait to get it in the water!
Click to expand...

As long as you're using TCW-III rated oil at 50:1, the motor will run as it should. Anything someone tells you otherwise isn't true. Check the link below for some good low speed adjustment instructions. You'll probably have to disconnect the adustment knob until you get it right by turning the needle by itself.
It's a good motor. I don't think there is such a thing as a bad OMC 18hp motor. I'm a big fan of them, and have several.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352
 
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MotorBoatingMatt

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

Okay great. Good to know that the oil mix doesn't have an effect on the engine. Just an update, carburetor kit and fuel lines have been ordered. Hopefully this solves the issue. I'll post an update this Saturday or Sunday when this hopefully becomes resolved. Thanks everyone!
 
samo_ott

samo_ott

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

Good. It'll run great. I'm a big fan of the 18's also. Great power/weight ratio. I have close to a dozen of em in various conditions... Just about to work on a '57 to get up and running as I think I just sold my '56 J15hp that is on the boat now. :)
 
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MotorBoatingMatt

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Re: I am baffled! Help for a 1st time poster? =)

Sorry about the late response. Just got to the job this past Sunday. I replaced the carb and impeller. Carb float looked like rusty swiss cheese! Thanks for all the help guys! (just posted new idle issue if you're interested! ha!)
 
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