What happened to my 40hp?

[Mark42]

'93 Evinrude 40hp. Started running hot this morning out on bay. Thought it was getting the intakes clogged with sea grass or these huge clouds of crab larva that are out this week. Kept checking the intake, it was pumping water well but was running around 120*. Finally I stop and take out the thermostat. Then it ran cool but was steadily loosing power. I ran only around 2500 rpm back to the marina. By the time I got to the marina the motor was surging.<br /><br />When home I pulled the plugs and BOTH are DRY as a bone and medium brown, the color of chocolate milk mix. This had me very disturbed. Got a flashlight and looked in cylinder and scoring is visible on both cylinders. <br /><br />I checked the sight tube under the VRO and I can see oil in it. I guess the VRO failed and both cylinders are damaged badly. What really bothers me is why the damn alarm did not go off.<br /><br />Now I'm looking at $1200 - $1400 for a rebuilt powerhead.<br /><br />This finishes my boating for the season. Any suggestions on repairs other than swapping in another power head?

 

[Goodoleboy]

Re: What happened to my 40hp?

Hi Mark!<br />Sorry to hear about your motor. Not that its gona help anything now, But you could test warning horn and see if it still works. Ground tan wire comeing from heat sensor. Also Vro needs checking, As you already know.<br /><br />You will need to know before you put in new repaired engine.<br /><br />I would think rebuilding engine would be cheaper than buying new replacment.<br /><br />Good Luck!

 

[Mark42]

Re: What happened to my 40hp?

I would feel better paying to have the short block assembled for me. Plus the warrentee. This is for sure, I am going to mix my oil and fuel from now on. Can't afford to have this happen again. <br /><br />I am going to inspect the wiring on the VRO very closely to be sure it was installed correctly by the rebuilder. Darned motor is only on its second season of use after complete rebuild. If they messed it up, I'll go after them for compensation. <br /><br />Have top pull the head and get a good look at the internals, but from what I saw through the plug hole, it was scored/galled.<br /><br />Called iBoats and talked to a rep about a powerhead. For my motor the powerhead ends up running $1080 delivered after returning core. Nice part is that includes all shipping, even on core.

 

[DJ]

Re: What happened to my 40hp?

Mark,<br /><br />Don't be so quick to blame the oil injection. It could also be a fuel restriction or, you have water in the oil tank or, a clogged oil intake screen.

 

[Mark42]

Re: What happened to my 40hp?

DJ, I'll check those items. Does the oil tank primer bulb suck down if the sock is clogged like the fuel primer bulbs do? <br /><br />I really like the VRO system. I am really upset that the motor is ruined and only one and a half seasons of use on a fresh rebuild. When the motor is taken apart the VRO will get close inspection to determine if it just failed. Being that the outboard was bought as a rebuild, there is no way of knowing what the real age of that particular piece is.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What happened to my 40hp?

well on a real rebuild the pump would have been new. however some rebuilds just fix whats torn up. do you hear the horn selftest each time the key is turned on? it supposed to. the controls sold with the engine new did. you would not believe how many jonnies have died over the horn did not work. after questioning the customer will admit the horn system has never worked or been tested. bad water pumps and t-stats will take them out as well. when I rebuild one it gets new OMS pump, and pickup assy along with a water pump and gearcase seals. no sense in doing only part of it but I just did head gaskets on a 175 yamaha that was "rebuilt" last summer. #4 cyl is all scared up. you can see some cheesy hone marks but it looks like just one piston was replaced. I doubt it will see next summer <br /> good luck and find the cause before it does it again.

 

[Mark42]

Re: What happened to my 40hp?

Rodbolt,<br /><br />The controls are 70's era so they don't sound when turned on. But the horn does work and I test it regularly. Last month the horn sounded when lake grass clogged the intake and it started to heat up.<br /><br />This time the motor never got hot enough to sound the horn, I just noticed the temp guage was up to 120* and thought something was clogging the water passages, thats when I took out the thermostat and temps went down to below 120. Regardles of why the oil was not pumping, the alarm should have sounded. if it did I would have dumped oil from the vro tank into the gas and been on my merry way. <br /><br />I wondering if I can get away with new pistons, rings and a bore job. Think the crank, rod and seals are OK or need replacing? I won't be able to dissassemble the block until next week sometime.<br /><br />EDIT: FYI I just checked the horn by grounding the tan wire that connects to the power pack and the horn sounded. I followed the wires from the VRO to the power pack and everything looks to be connected correctly.