I was working on my 1986 Evinrude 15 and found this part laying down under the gear shift.
Does anyone know what it is and where it is supposed to go?
The back story, for those interested:
I found this engine on craigslist. The owner said it had been in his family since new and had maybe 10 hours of freshwater use. He said he had installed a carb rebuild kit w/new plastic float, fuel pump rebuild kit, new plugs, and replaced gear oil. He did not know the age of the impeller. Judging by the lack of marks, I'd guess it's a 1986 impeller, but it still works. The previous owner was an auto mechanic (I picked it up where he works) and seemed to know/care little about boats. He seemed honest. I paid $750 since that's what he was asking, then told him I would have paid more.
First test, upwind and upstream in the creek, not far from the ramp. Ran for an hour at all speeds. Performed perfectly.
Second test, way up a small creek. 2+ hours of slow speed with some planing at each end of the trip. Performed perfectly.
Third test, down to the Peace River. Ran perfectly for about half an hour, then suddenly died at cruising speed. Like a kill switch lanyard was pulled, but they started installing those the next year, so this engine has none.
It has not even popped since, except one time when we squirted a bit of starting fluid in, and even that was less of a pop than I expected.
The plugs spark blue when removed and grounded to the block. Disconnecting the kill switch ground lead from the block does nothing. The fuel pump and carb appear to be working. Bad fuel is a virtual impossibility. I use only fresh, ethanol-free fuel from properly stored plastic cans, which I visually inspect. There is a filter in the fuel line.
We dried the plugs, pulled the choke, and attempted to start it several times to flood the engine. The plugs came out bone dry. Gas came out the front of the carb. A friend said, "Reeds." Really?
And what about that little orange plastic part?
Here's the engine. That's all original paint, even on the skeg.
Does anyone know what it is and where it is supposed to go?
The back story, for those interested:
I found this engine on craigslist. The owner said it had been in his family since new and had maybe 10 hours of freshwater use. He said he had installed a carb rebuild kit w/new plastic float, fuel pump rebuild kit, new plugs, and replaced gear oil. He did not know the age of the impeller. Judging by the lack of marks, I'd guess it's a 1986 impeller, but it still works. The previous owner was an auto mechanic (I picked it up where he works) and seemed to know/care little about boats. He seemed honest. I paid $750 since that's what he was asking, then told him I would have paid more.
First test, upwind and upstream in the creek, not far from the ramp. Ran for an hour at all speeds. Performed perfectly.
Second test, way up a small creek. 2+ hours of slow speed with some planing at each end of the trip. Performed perfectly.
Third test, down to the Peace River. Ran perfectly for about half an hour, then suddenly died at cruising speed. Like a kill switch lanyard was pulled, but they started installing those the next year, so this engine has none.
It has not even popped since, except one time when we squirted a bit of starting fluid in, and even that was less of a pop than I expected.
The plugs spark blue when removed and grounded to the block. Disconnecting the kill switch ground lead from the block does nothing. The fuel pump and carb appear to be working. Bad fuel is a virtual impossibility. I use only fresh, ethanol-free fuel from properly stored plastic cans, which I visually inspect. There is a filter in the fuel line.
We dried the plugs, pulled the choke, and attempted to start it several times to flood the engine. The plugs came out bone dry. Gas came out the front of the carb. A friend said, "Reeds." Really?
And what about that little orange plastic part?
Here's the engine. That's all original paint, even on the skeg.
