Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

[papakevin]

Ok guys, anything you can do to get me started would be great. I just purchased a Skeeter boat with an Evinrude 48 SPF motor. I have no experience with outboard motors, so I'm feeling my way in the dark. The guy I bought it from said at the end of last year, it had two new carbs installed on it (the two carbs have a 7/24/04 date sticker on them, so I'm assuming they are in fact new). Here's my problem -<br /><br />This morning I got out my boat, put the cooling muffs to it with water, fired it up no problem. I did check the battery and it had good voltage, but no additional jump in the voltage when running, that's not what I'm worried about here, so let's get to the point.<br /><br />On my way to the lake, I stopped and put in four gal gas (87 octane) with the proper amount of 2-Cycle (TCW3 rated oil, 50-1 mix). When I got to the lake and put the boat into the water, the motor fired up and ran with the thing on top of the OMC Control up (I'm assuming the choke), but when I put it down, and tired to get the boat going in gear, the motor died. As soon as I put it back into neutral, the motor started right back up (it even started right back up without me needing to turn the key a couple of times). <br /><br />When I tested the motor at home, everything seemed to work as it should. Did I mess up by using a low octane gas? Is there some type of troubleshooting list I can go thru? Any suggestions or thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

 

[papakevin]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

That's a 1988 Evinrude 48 SPL motor. Sorry for the typo.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

The lever is called the cold start or fast idle lever. It just allows you to open up the throttle a little when the engine's in neutral. As you probably noticed, the thing won't start when it's not in neutral and this lever is the only way you can up the throttle and still start it.<br /><br />Just in case you didn't know, there's also pushing in the key - this, some people call the choke, but is really a primer. It gets the fuel from the carb. bowls up to the cylinder and is often used when starting an engine that's been sitting for a while. <br /><br />Anyway, it doesn't sound like you're having any problems starting the engine, but when you try to get it in gear to get moving.<br /><br /><br />Is it killing right as you're trying to shift into gear, or as you're trying to accelorate in gear?<br /><br />Just a couple of thoughts. First is that the idle is too slow. When you want to shift into gear, you have to lower the fast idle lever first. Therefore, you are now relying on your idle speed to keep the engine running because you can't give it gas until you actually get it shifted into forward (or reverse). My engine tends to kill at that point if the idle is set too low - or if the engine hasn't warmed up enough yet (that's my second thought). Setting the idle "on the muffs" will often give you an idle that's too low when you're in the water. This is because when the engine's in the water, there's back pressure against the exhaust. The exhaust comes out of the prop hub, and when you're on the muffs, there's nothing that the exhaust has to push through to get out. When you're in the water,there is the pressure of the water surrounding the prop. This is all to say that you need a higher idle setting in the water. So, what I do, is last thing before I shut down after messing with the engine on the muffs is to set the idle a little higher. It will sound too fast on the muffs, but will be better on the water.<br /><br /><br />Good luck.

 

[papakevin]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

Wow, excellent feedback, thank you. The extra back pressure with water vs. air is something I never even considered. Brilliant!<br /><br />Anyone have any tips on how I should go about adjusting up my idle? I have no clue what-so-ever. Thanks again.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

I might suggest getting an owner's manual, check the local dealer. They can sometimes order them for older boats. There's also on-line sources. The one I used for my early 80s Johnsosn and also my old Merc is www.maxrules.com, but there are other sources as well. It will probably give you basic adjustment info. <br /><br />I'm not familiar at all with your particular engine. You might find that if you just take it to the local shop that services Johnsons, they will come out to the parking lot and show you. There's also a good chance that someone at the launching ramp that you use will be able to show you. If you can't find someone to show you where the idle adjustment is, have someone move the fast idle lever up and down (engine doesn't have to be on) while you're looking at the engine with the cover off. You will probably see somewhere where the moving linkage stops against an adjustable screw - and you'd adjust that screw to increase the idle (which, of course, you'd have to do while the engine's runnng). On my engine, as you're looking at the front of the engine, it's on the left and it's a large, but simple, screw - easy to see once someone showed me! <br /><br />I think the rough ball park numbers I look for are around 1000 on the muffs which will give 800 or so in the water, in gear. <br /><br />Hopefully someone familiar with that engine will pipe in. Good luck, have fun.

 

[papakevin]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

D - Thanks for the information, you've been great. I've had trouble sleeping lately because I've been thinking about my outboard - sick I know. I really appreciate the help and the knowledge... thank you for sharing!

 

[ob15]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

To go along with the above, I would suggest a manual. Most things are pretty easy to do. The idle must be set in the water with the boat in forward gear. It is usually around 300-400 rpm higher in the driveway on muffs (i.e 800 in water 11-1200 in driveway).

 

[BamaBear_1961]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

I have the same exact engine that had the same exact problem. High speed jets were clogged. It would run fine in the drive-way with no load on it in gear but died the second you put it in the lake in gear. These carbs are not very tolerant of fuel being left in them even for just a few months. Be sure and use fuel stabilizer. Also, you might want to consider putting an in-line fuel filter in your fuel line. Otherwise this engine is almost bullet proof. Best of luck!

 

[Bradster941]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

BamaBear_1961 <br /><br />The high speed jets don't come into play at idle speeds.

 

[papakevin]

Re: Problems with 88 Evinrude Outboard

Thanks to everyone for the info... please keep it coming! <br /><br />BamaBear_1961 please email me with any additional tips on the engine. Papakevin@gmail.com. What fuel stablizer do you use?<br /><br />Thanks again...