My 55hp dies after a 10 min cruise

[brother chris]

Okay, I have a 1978 55hp evinrude. When I start it, all is okay. I let it run until the revs go down and then cruise. After a 10 min run in the lake, I shut it off and when I try to start it again, it won't start. The first time it happened, I figured I flooded it cause I smelt and saw gas coming out of the carb. So, I let it sit for a bit and then it started again. Yet after another 10 min cruise. It happened again. I don't know why So, the history of the motor is: I just bought it last week off some guy who said it never ran since last year. I do understand that the bowl should be cleaned, although if it ran when I tested it, and when I am in the water, should it still need cleaning? I am not sure, so I bought 2 carb kits to do today. I hope that will fix the problem. I was hoping someone out there might have an idea. Thanks. See, it will always start, but it will only rev high. As soon as I try to slow it to idle it, it will die.

 

[fireman 757]

Re: My 55hp dies after a 10 min cruise

Sounds like it might be overheating. Install your carb kits and make sure that the high speed jet is perfectly clean. Set your float so that it is level with the carb when turned upside down. Now to the overheating. Change your impeller in the lower unit and check your thermostat. Oops, wait. I forgot to tell you. When the engine is running for five or so minutes put you fingers on the head and count fairly slowly to three (three or four seconds). If you cannot hold your fingers there for this count then it is overheating and follow the advice above and change your impeller. If you can hold your fingers there then you probably have a fuel problem that your carb kit will take care of.

 

[brother chris]

Re: My 55hp dies after a 10 min cruise

Thanks fireman. I will do the carb kit in the morn and fire it up and see how she runs. I think I might as well put a new impellor in it anyways since I just bought it, even though the pump is working fine(as I can see a nice thick stream of water coming out).

 

[brother chris]

Re: My 55hp dies after a 10 min cruise

Well I put in the new carb kits and it is still running like it did yesterday except it arcs between the flywheel and the starter pole. I can run it at low and high idle in neutral for a while until it warms up(even take it out for a cruise). Then shut it off, and after, say, 5-10 minutes I go and start it up, and I can only keep it at high idle. When I go to put it at low idle so I can put it in gear, it dies. I'm very confused!<br /> A friend of mine suggested to check the inside of the flywheel for corrosion, and check the Ignition Coil. Any other suggestions out there.

 

[letsbarbq]

Re: My 55hp dies after a 10 min cruise

hi brother chris,<br /><br />Did you change the water pump?

 

[brother chris]

Re: My 55hp dies after a 10 min cruise

will be changing the water pump in the morning along with Polarity check, spark plug test, compression test and going to pull the flywheel off and check the coil and all wires and leads. I hope this will work as I have a boating trip this weekend.

 

[fireman 757]

Re: My 55hp dies after a 10 min cruise

anytime you have sparks arcing it is not a good sign. When you pull your flywheel look for any wires that might have had the insulation rubbed off by the flywheel. Clean your points with some soft emery paper. I bet it is your coil arcing. They eventually go bad. Check for cracks in it or signs of heat.