Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

[striperboat]

1995 Evinrude 130hp

My outboard did not start and did not have any spark/sometimes intermittent spark. So on a hunch i decided to replace power pack (used) and sure enough that fixed the problem. Now it starts, however, it only stays for about 1 minute then shuts off. It sounds like a fuel problem to me. Also, i noticed that the ignition coils have some corrosion. I've checked the hose and anti-siphon valve and looks fine. Whys does it shut off? any tips?

 

[dkonrai]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

might be a stuck needle valve in the carb. place the fuel can above the motor and see if that helps, that will narrow down if the fuel pump is bad. im thinking dirty carb tho.
dino

 

[striperboat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

I recently replace the VRO pump and carbs were recently cleaned as well.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

I recently replace the VRO pump and carbs were recently cleaned as well.

Recently cleaned does not mean much. You could have knocked some crud loose changing vro

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

Disconnect the Black/Yellow (kill circuit) wire from the powerpack. If this corrects the problem, replace the ignition switch (intermittent short).

Note.... with that wire disconnected, it will be impossible to shut down the engine simply by turning the key to the OFF position due to the kill circuit being disengaged.

 

[boobie]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

What happens if you pump the primer bulb ??

 

[daselbee]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

What happens if you pump the primer bulb ??

There ya go!!! He's probably running out of gas. Try checking the fuel bowls to see if they have gas in them when it dies (remove drain plug to see if dry).

If no gas....fuel pump probably.

 

[striperboat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

ok. i will try all your tips tomorrow and let you know what happens. thanks

 

[striperboat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

I removed the drain plug from the fuel bowls and very little fuel drains out. on one bowl a few drops and the other less than 1 oz. I also checked the primer bulb and it took several pumps for it to get hard.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

So it is running out of gas after the fuel in the bowls is used up.
You will have to find out why the fuel pump is not pumping. I know you put a new one on....but the fuel pump is the issue, I think.

Pump the primer bulb while it is running...you are acting like a manual fuel pump...and see if it doesn't stay running.

 

[striperboat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

i pumped the bulb and it still shut offs.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

Still....??? Hmmmm....doesn't seem right at all. When you pump bulb, it fills the bowls up, and as they are full, the bulb gets firm.

But you can pump the bulb before start, and it gets firm? While running it should soften up, and as you pump it, it will firm back up, and then soften back as the engine runs.

Pump up the bulb before start til firm, and then see how much gas you have in the bowls (don't start it) by draining from the drain plugs. If you aren't getting gas to the bowls at all...gotta debug it.

 

[striperboat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

Pumped up the bulb before start til firm then drained the bowl again and fuel poured out. I want to try what "Joe" suggested. how would i go about shutting down the engine if in fact thats the problem?


this is what i did:

1st attempt: started the motor and ran for a bit then motor died. removed the drain plugs after the motor died from 1st attempt and noticed very little fuel coming out from bowl.

2nd attempt: squeezed the bulb to fill the bowls and i could heard the fuel squirting into the bowls. At this point the bulb stayed firm, turned the engine on and stayed on for a shorter period of time than my first attempt then died again. While the engine was on i was priming fuel but didnt hear it squirting inside the bowl (seemed like bowls was full). The bulb was really hard when i was priming it. For this attempt i also notice that despite having the bowls full of fuel it still died.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

Locate the black/yellow wire where it attaches to the powerpack. Disconnect it. Remove air silencer. Start engine, and when you want to stop it, you can clamp/stuff rags over the front of the carbs to choke it down.

Disconnecting that wire disables the kill circuit and effectively separates the boat harness from the engine in an attempt to figure out if it is the engine or the boat harness (key switch) that is causing the problem.

The symptoms as you describe them are very strange. It acts like it is out of gas, yet you can get gas to the bowls with the primer bulb, but when you try to "replenish" the gas just used from the bowls as it runs, you can't.....very weird.

If the output check valve of the primer bulb is bad....maybe that's why it firms up but delivers very little gas....just enough to run for a minute.



EDIT: Where that black/yellow wire connects is under the pack, and is a royal pain to get to....

 

[boobie]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

Sounds like some blockage in one of the fuel lines. Take the fuel lines directly off of the carbs, pump the primer bulb and see what you get.

 

[striperboat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

I rebuild the carbs and vro pump works, but still having same problem. It only stays running with choke or if i give it gas/throttle. I dont know if this means anything but the first time i start it; It stays on for about two minutes then shuts off. When i start it again it only last about 20 seconds and almost immediately shuts off. Could it be intermittent spark? fouled plugs? or engine flooding?

 

[LongLine]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

Are you positive the carbs went back together correctly? I screwed mine up once & boy was I frustrated (& embarrassed)

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[racerone]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

When it first starts up how does it respond when you push the key in ??

 

[striperboat]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

yes pretty sure they went back together correctly because i recorded the removal. It starts up immediately, first crank and engine starts.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Why does my outboard start and runs for 1 minute then dies/shuts off?

Maybe the float valve is sticking, not allowing fuel back inside the bowl?
after it died, tap the carb bowl lightly, see pump the bulb, and see if it starts.

Ive seen it happen before?