Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

[WEH]

A friend has a late 1950s Evinrude 7.5HP that has been sitting in storage for a number of years. Maybe a lot of years, don't know how many.<br /><br />We can't get the motor to turn over. We pull on the starter cord but the thing is stuck, it won't budge. Any ideas? What should we check? How should we check it? We would like to fix it if we can.<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[alcan]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

Hi Crappie<br />Remove the power head. This will determine weather it is the L/U or the engine. Remove the rope starter and try to turn flywheel. If still stuck disassemble powerhead. You would have to remove the powerhead on this model to get to the water pump anyway.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

This may sound unusual but it worked for me a few years ago with my brothers outboard.<br />It was siezed after a few years storage so I took it home put it up in the workshop and removed the starter rope assembly.<br />Then I made up a mixture of equal parts kerosene and 20-40 engine oil. After removing the sparkplugs I sprayed the inside of the chamber through the plug hole with the oil. Each day I came out and using a powerbar I applied 100lbs pressure trying to turn it over. After 6 days it worked. There was no damage that couldn't be cleaned up by a competent home mechanic and they still use the outboard today on the Waikato river!<br />Saved a lot of $$.<br />Ross

 

[WEH]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

Thanks for the input.<br /><br />Is it common for a motor to sieze or lock up after long periods of storage?<br /><br />Ross J. - you mention "no damage that couldn't be cleaned up by a competent home mechanic". Could you elaborate a little on this?<br /><br />Also, If we want to repair/restore the motor, what books, manuals, etc. should we get?

 

[DJ]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

crappie cruncher,<br /><br />Good advice so far, reagarding freeing this thing up. Just be patient. <br /><br />To answer your question about storage-yes, not mstoring it properly can cause this.<br /><br />The website below offeres original OEM manuals.<br /><br /> http://ww3.kencook.com/evinrudejohnsonmanuals/

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

I just unstuck an old 46 Mercury/Wizard WG4 by doing this: Pull the drain and vent plugs on the lower unit. If there is lube in there, chances are the lower end is not locked up or at fault. If there is no lube, it's a crap shoot. Try this next: turn it face down on the work bench. Remove plugs and shine a flahlight inside. Note which piston is closer to the plug hole. Fill each cylinder with the penetrating oil of your choice, repeat for several days...a week is preferable. In other words, let it soak A LONG TIME. Some folks say the best oil to dissolve corrosion is Oil of Wintergreen, available at most pharmacies. I just use a can of old chain lube that I found in my shop. Now after several days of soaking, take a wooden dowl rode and put in the cylinder with the piston closest to the spark plug hole. Tap, tap, tap, very gently. Watch the dowel for movement. Chances are it will free up.<br />If not, you probably need to separate the powerhead and lower unit as a previous post suggests.<br />Try the links at this site for a manual:<br />www.aomci.org<br />Most important...be very patient with it, don't force anything...time is your ally in these situations.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

"Ross J. - you mention "no damage that couldn't be cleaned up by a competent home mechanic". Could you elaborate a little on this?"<br /><br />What I meant was that you may find a variety of things once you have the motor turning freely. First, resist the urge to try to start the motor.<br />Chjeck with a small torch by looking thru the spark plug hole and see if there's any 'rust' type marks on the side of the chamber from the rings. At least one of the cylinders will have this mark.<br />When found, it usually only needs a squirt of engine oil in that cylinder and slowely turn the engine over with the power bar. This will usually take care of any minimal build up. Being a two stroke it is used to oil and will only smoke for a short time after start up.<br />As usual after a long storage, drain all fuel and oil and replace.<br />Start up with a little extra oil for the test rum, then use your usual, mix.<br />If there's any trouble with start up it is usually traced back to the carb/s due to the long storage.<br />Next fall, go through a winterisation procedure and this problem will be history!<br />Good luck mate.<br />Ross

 

[WEH]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

Thanks for the explaination.<br /><br />This is looking do-able. I expect to replace the water pump and re-build the carb (or replace it). Anything else I should count on replacing, rebuilding, or taking apart?<br /><br />I expect the gear grease is pretty bad in the lower unit (gear box?). What should one use to flush it out and clean it before adding new grease?<br /><br />Thanks again everyone, keep the info comming.

 

[alcan]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

Hi Crappie<br /> No need to replace the carb unless it is broken. Just clean it up and install a carb kit with float. Also check the ignit. coils. If they are cracked and/or split replace them. As long as your at it go for the points ans condencer as well. What makes you think the L/U is shot? If this is the case, I would disassemble the L/U for proper inspection and repair. Fortunatly these are fairly stright forward units, not too difficult to repair. They use bushing style bearings. Alot of times when you'll open them up it will look like a lost cause, rust, goo and spooge. Take the time to clean-up all the parts. They are not as bad as they look (most times). Did you get this motor to roll?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Motor won't turn over, it's stuck!

crappie - I wouldn't start rippin things apart, rebuildin and other stuff just yet. <br /><br />First I would try to get a manual for your motor. It dosen't have to be the exact manual just close. Check your library, ebay and the search engine at this web site.<br /><br />First thing I would look for is the correct fuel-oil mix. I would guess at 24:1 or 16:1. Get some and put it in a squirt bottle. <br /><br />After you get the motor unfrozen as described in the other posts, put the spark plug wires back on the plugs and ground them to the motor (don't install them). Pull the starting rope and see if you have spark at the plugs. If not follow aome of alcan's suggestions on points/condenser/coil. If you do have spark, install the plugs, squirt some of the fuel mix into the carb and try to start. If it starts - shut it down immediately and repalce the water pump. You might then be able to run it on a hose. Go from there.<br /><br />On the lower unit - it contains a gear lube not grease. If you get this far you will need to replace it. Check search for lots of tips.