If an engine sets...

[Ozdog]

for a couple years would you clean the carbs before trying starting up or just see what's what with the engine? The starter went out & the guy just parked it a couple years ago. PO said he only used premium gas and I pumped out what was left. The fuel in the tank didn't look bad.The fuel in the line that first pumped out was a little discolored. I haven't tried to start it cause it was operation deep freeze around here & went on to tear the deck & center console out but time to run will be at hand soon.
This is a 1990 Evinrude V4 115, VRO2
I also have some concerns with the oil & VRO system.
Any thoughts?
Dave

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: If an engine sets...

Remove a drain screw from the carburetor float chambers and observe the back of the screw. If it's coated with a fouling substance, brown, green, whatever..... just plain dirty looking, remove, clean, and rebuild the carburetors as needed.

 

[Ozdog]

Re: If an engine sets...

Thanks Joe, I'll do that. I'm not a carb guy but I think I could handle that.
I'm just really concerned about a plugged carb & burning up a piston.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: If an engine sets...

Running premium fuel did absolutely no good and was a waste of money since the engine did not need the higher octane, nor does the engine develop more power by using it. So that was not a benefit to you. Chances are if the fuel was not treated before storage rebuilding the carbs would be high on my list of first steps. When you do get it running I would premix fuel in the tank and run both the injection system AND the premix until y0u are certain the injection system is using oil. This doesn't take long. Place a mark on the tank and run about 12 gallons of fuel through the engine. Note the oil level in the tank. Add two stroke oil to bring the level back to the mark. If it took two pints (one quart) then the system is working as it should and you can discontinue the premix. Be aware that this is not an exact measurement of oil consumption but it will confirm the system is working or not.

 

[Ozdog]

Re: If an engine sets...

OK I'm totally on board with premix in the tank but to what ratio? I was thumbing through the shop manual and it states 100:1 if you disconnect the VRO or oil lines until you can verify oil consumption. What would double the oil mix do?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: If an engine sets...

DO NOT attempt to use the 100/1 mixture. That was a OMC goof. Use and stick to the 50/1 mixture for a long engine life.

 

[Ozdog]

Re: If an engine sets...

So what would doubling the mix do IE: a few gallons of 50:1 in the tank + a fully functional VRO...worst case would be??? Some fouled plugs?

 

[Ozdog]

Re: If an engine sets...

Looking over the carb section I may just take it to a tech and let them go over the carbs. My fat fingers and lack of patience don't fair well with carbs.
Really a shame, outside the spark plugs you cannot see a wrench mark on the engine anywhere!