I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

[NJCoastFlyFish]

I just bought this and was told it would run, it got a new powerhead in 1999 and thought it was a good buy for $500. I go to start the thing, and the starter is going in the wrong direction, if it would go the other way it can engage, but the direction it is going it won't engage. <br /><br />I can't even make sense of all the wiring to tell if there is a reversed wire anywhere but the owner assured me that no wires were played around with and the last time it was winterized it ran. I read some things on this forum but i'm not mechanical enough to understand them. If anyone has any clue on what I should do please help. I don't have a lot of money to begin with and feel I just got ripped off big time, i'm in a huge bind and feel like crying over this, I mean leterally just got the thing an hour ago, should I break down and get a mechanic over here, do you think it will cost me a lot or should I just try and beg the guy to take the thing back...

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Dont worry, we'll get it figured out -- just dont panic -- yet.<br /><br />When you say the bendix spins the wrong way, which way does it spin? It should spin counter-clockwise to spin the flywheel clockwise. (Looking down from above the flywheel)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Are you using a known good battery. You might also try to rotate the bendix (the gear on the starter) by hand to see if it is just stuck. Turning it counter clockwise should cause it to rise up toward the flywheel. The starter shaft has spiral grooves in it that can get full of of crud thus limiting movement of the bendix. Clean those grooves if they are dirty to the bendix moves freely.

 

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Ok I switched battery's and the thing starts but won't start, it hasn't been started in 4 years so I don't know, it goes for about 5 seconds than shuts off, I have it hooked up to muffs but the thing won't pee either, ahh I am about to panic

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Slow down!! I told you -- its not time to panic. I'll let you know when.<br /><br />Describe what you mean by "the thing starts but won't start". Are you saying that it does indeed start but shuts off? Or are you saying it cranks over for about 5 seconds and then quits spinning?

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

What year are we talking about.... even model number would help. I agree with Dhadley.... BREATH brother BREATH. If your getting it to fire...and run for 5 seconds... it's goin good. this motor has'nt ran for 4 years. It's gunna need some tinkerin to get it goin. Just hang tight and things will work out. <br />Also I expect you'll be doin the work yourself so If you don't already have one....get a manual. Best money you'll spend on the outboard.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Don't worry about the motor not peeing at this point. It won't do that until it actually runs. Lots of help here on Iboats. I myself just resurrected a 1978 Johnson 70hp that had sat for 12 years. All I had to do to get it going was rebuild the fuel pump. Later I rebuilt the carbs only because one or more of the float valves wasn't fully shutting off so engine was running a little rich. You should probably take a look at the engine FAQ "Awakening a sleeping outboard" for some insight into what your looking at.

 

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Alright I admit now I panicked big time, seller of the boat came back, examed outboard and agreed it wasn't fair to sell it until he can get it started because he told me it would start. Thank god I found someone nice to deal with.<br /><br />I'm sure we could have gotten it started with some tinkering but I don't want to take the chance if it is a major problem

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Thats good but lets look at the situation. Forcing the motor to run may do more harm than good. <br /><br />With a motor that has sat for that long youll want to start with a carb job. Then a water pump. But only AFTER youve checked to make sure it has good compression and then spark.<br /><br />Dont try to force it to start. Check compression and take it one step at a time.

 

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Compression should have been good as the powerhead had less than 50hrs on it since it was replaced- He is going to get it checked out, I now realize I should have probably had a game plan when this thing arrived instead of sticking the key into the ignition and going for it. <br /><br />All I know is that there is a definite sickening feeling after buying something you think was gonna run and have it not run, and have the seller already driving away, thank god the guy was nice, taught me to check out what I buy before I buy!!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Dont assume that just because it has 50 hours on it that the compression should be fine. It could have 5 minutes on a new powerhead and be bad. Just take things one step at a time.<br /><br />Like we mentioned -- dont let him force it to start. If the carbs need cleaning, do it. Dont forget that if a cylinder isnt getting fuel, it isnt getting oil.<br /><br />It'd still help to know the year.

 

[Solittle]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

We get it all the time when the buyer relys on the word of the seller who typically tells the buyer "It ran just fine the last time - - it probably just needs a tune-up." And then the fun begins for the buyer. The point is the buyer needs to personally verify the condition of what he is buying before money changes hands. You seller seems to be an exception but you get my drift.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

I am with solittle and Dhadley. I hear the it ran good last time ten times a week. also I agree to test the compression and spark first. if the ignition system is ok and the engine is mechanically sound the rest is simple. carbs and most likly fuel pumps will need to be rebuilt, water pump is bad from dryrot. most likly the t-stat and pressure valves need attention. its all easy just breathe normal read the manuaal and drop some dimes. if it has a built in tank drain it and clean it with some denatured alchohol or some engine tuner. if its a remote tank clean it and drain the old fuel from it and the fuel lines going to the engine. take your time and have patience and you may actually have a decent deal. most likly cause of the starter going backwards is the battery cables being hooked up backwards. if they were some attention to the charging system will be required. but take it one subsystem at a time and it becomes easy. <br /> I see blown motors weekly from half clogged carbs due to sitting idle. just cause it runs doesnt mean its not destroying itself.

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Well hell....now Iam about to cry. I was waitin for the compresssion numbers. So Hadley could say....Ok kid now you can.... PANIC...!<br /><br />Sounded like one of Johny Carson,s old routines in progress. Grin!<br /><br />Good one!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

hahahaah<br /> I call my gauge the crying machine. let it give bad numbers and watch folks cry

 

[NJCoastFlyFish]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

Yeah, I hear you all loud and clear.<br /><br />The engine is a 1988 70hp evinrude, the thing that pushed me to this one was the new powerhead and the fact that marinas were selling these used for close to $2000 where this one was $500

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I'm about to cry! 70hp Evinrude

The 1500 difference raises a flag to me. Are you sure it's a 1988? The gearcase alone is worth most of the 500.