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1994 Evinrude 200 - Just started surging under load

aquamusic

New member
1994 Evinrude 200 E200CXER on 21' Paramount-copy center console. I installed this engine about a month ago. It ran fine when I water tested for 15 minutes on previous owners boat. I have taken it to the lake twice on my boat and engine ran fine for about 15 - 20 minutes each trip. Will run over 6000 rpm when fully trimmed but I have not stretched it out past that. 15 to 20 psi water pressure.

Today it ran fine for first 10 minutes. Then it started surging - if I was running 5500 RPM it would drop to about 5000 for a second, then back up. From a dead stop it would accelerate fine for a few seconds - then fall off - then continue to accelerate but only get up to ~5500. Then surge faster and slower. This behavior continued for 5 -10 minutes at almost any speed until I put on the trailer.

Before I ran it for the first time on my boat, I replaced spin-on water separating fuel filter, fuel line from tank to engine & primer bulb. It has VRO system. The VRO warning buzzer sounded when I first connected the oil tank, but has not sounded since the oil line was primed before first water test. My old `98 225 did not have VRO, so there is 50:1 oil in the fuel tank. I have read somewhere that this is recommended when troubleshooting VRO system to prevent burning up the engine.

Good compression on all cylinders - about 110 psi.

Previous owner had this done in July:epoxy 1 loose magnet back on flywheel, replace timer base, replace stator, replace power pack, replace plug wires.

I have ready several post on several forums and replies seem evenly split between fuel and electrical. Maybe my particular symptoms will jog someones memory.

Thanks in advance!
 
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I don't have the answer to your problem, but for the members that do...... Is this surging a:

Gradual down, back up rpm happening? (Fuel)

Instant down, back up rpm happening? (Ignition)
 
Run with timing light hooked up to #1 cylinder.----Observe light when motor falters.----Repeat with other cylinders.
 
I don't have the answer to your problem, but for the members that do...... Is this surging a:
Gradual down, back up rpm happening? (Fuel)
Instant down, back up rpm happening? (Ignition)

Thanks Joe. It was happening fairly rapidly. At full throttle, RPMs were fluctuating from ~5400 to ~6000 every second. Also accelerating from a dead stop it would accelerate normally, then fall back every second or two.
 
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