timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

[Muddy Rudder]

hello all,

I recently purchased a boat with a 40hp evinrude vro. upon our first launch, the motor was started on land with earmuffs and starts, throttles up idles etc very well, clean and responsive. when we put the boat in the water all started and idled fine when throttling up, we could not get the boat to plane. it would die as if it was starving for fuel. So we cleaned the carbs, added new plugs etc. same problem. then i noticed a little red lever near the throttle linkage (which i suspect is some kind of timing advance lever) so when throttling up i moved this lever forward manually and the motor took off and ran very smooth until idling down. when idling down it would start bogging and breaking up so i began to readjust that red lever again to the position it was in before and it began to idle fine again. my question here is there suppose to be some kind of linkage that controls this little red lever to match it to the throttle position??

Thanks
Chris

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

I suspect that you're speaking of the Black Solenoid with the Manual Prime RED adjustment lever. You need a service manual to avoid possible expensive errors if you intend to keep that engine for awhile.

You still have fouled carburetors. Manually clean the fixed brass high speed jets that are located in the bottom center portion of the float chambers (4 jets in all).

(Fuel Primer Solenoid Function)
(J. Reeves)

The RED lever...... The normal operating/running position is to have that red lever positioned over top of the solenoid and aimed at the other end of the solenoid, gently turned to its stop. This is the normal/automatic mode position. Pushing the key in opens the valve within the solenoid allowing fuel to pass thru it in order to prime and start the engine. Looking upon this solenoid as a electric choke results in a better understanding of it.

Having that red lever turned in the opposite direction, facing away from the solenoid, allows fuel to flow thru it to the crankcase area. One would only turn the red lever to this position in a case where the battery might go dead and the engine had to be started via the rope pull method. Look upon putting the red lever in this position as moving a choke lever on a choke equipped engine to the full closed position. Either one would supply fuel to the crankcase/engine for starting purposes BUT if left in that position while running would flood the engine.

The later model primer solenoids are equipped with a schrader valve, used for attaching a pressurized can of fogging oil etc, available at your local dealership with complete instructions.

Pumping the fuel primer bulb up hard fills the carburetor float chambers of course, but that process also applies fuel pressure to the primer solenoid.

The two small hoses leading from the primer solenoid branch off via tees to each fuel manifold section that would feed fuel to the individual cylinders.

Pushing the key in activates the primer solenoid to allow fuel to flow thru it to the intake manifold passageways. Cranking the engine over causes the fuel pump to engage which in turn sends fuel pulses to the primer solenoid via the 3/8" fuel hose.

Some engines incorporates the "Fast Start" feature which automatically advances the spark electronically so no advance of the throttle is required for starting.
Engines that do not have the "Fast Start" feature will be required to have the throttle advanced slightly.

Starting procedure: pump fuel bulb up hard, crank engine and push the key in at the same time. When the engine fires/starts, release the key so that it falls back to the run position.

Bottom line..... Look upon the primer solenoid as an electric choke.

 

[Muddy Rudder]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

Thanks Joe,

to give you a better idea of the positioning of the lever when the issue was occurring (not being able to get past a 1/4 throttle without stalling) the lever was laying flat ( pointing towards the bow) and then i lifted the lever to point up towards the sky which would allow the engine to run great at higher rpm but not low rpm. is it possible that this selenoid is not working at all ? also when the lever is in the flat position it will start right up within 2 seconds of hitting the key with it in the up position it will not.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Muddy Rudder]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

also joe this lever does not move on its own (when pushing the key in, or moving the throttle) i am bot sure if it is suppose too. just thought i would let you know incase it will help you diagnose my problem. Also when you say i have a dead carb. i dont understand how that would be possible because it was running perfectly at high rpm when i adjusted that lever if a bad carb were the case i would assume it would not run well regardless.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

Running with that RED lever moved from its automatic set position is the same as closing the butterflies on a manual choke setup which would force the vacuum of the engine to draw/force fuel to be siphoned from the fouled carburetor(s).

I'm aware that the RED lever does not move on its own..... the movement is internal within the solenoid when the key is pushed inwards. I've explained the problem and the cure as good as possible, nothing more that I can ad.

 

[Muddy Rudder]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

Thanks Joe,

I am pretty sure i understand, me moving that lever manually would be the same as me moving the choke lever on a older model which in simple terms means i have a carb. issue. i will clean the jets you have advised me to and see where that gets me.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Muddy Rudder]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

Hey joe,

I did all of what you said this afternoon, i took the carbs off, removed all hoses, jets, etc. Blew everything out with compressed air and used gumout carb/choke cleaner. brought it down to the marina started right up, throttle up same problem occurs! i did notice that my fuel fitting at my fuel tank seems to be worn out. For instance when i disconnect the hose from the tank the fitting will suck in air if i pump the primer. From my understanding this should not occur correct? could this be my problem? if not where should i look now?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

picture is normal running setting.

 

[Muddy Rudder]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

thanks for the response, i understand that though. when i leave it in normal operating mode i can only throttle up to about 1/4 throttle before it dies out. If i move that lever up towards the sky i can go 1/4 throttle to full. I did as joe instructed me to with cleaning the carbs and taking each jet out put everything back together dialed everything in to factory setting and had the same problem! i did notice that my fuel fitting at my tank did not seem to be working right for example when i disconnect the fuel will leak out of the little ball inside the fitting and if i pump the primer bulb with the fitting off fuel will squirt out of the fitting and suck air in. could this be my problem i will be putting a new primer bulb and tank fitting on tomorrow afternoon!

Thanks in advance

 

[jonnyv]

Re: timing linkage on a 1989 evinrude 40hp vro

YO!
I have the same prob with my evinrude 40 vro. Did you ever find out the prob, let me know...

thnaks
jonnyv