With the greatest of enthusiasm, I got my boat onto the water for my second season with this motor...
The plugs were changed and the lower-end was drained and refilled while the batteries were left on a solar charger for the winter. The three-year-old starter turned very slowly and then not at all on the third attempt. Thereafter, the starter was unresponsive although the solenoid worked. Having confirmed power to the solenoid and then passing the solenoid prompted the replacement of the starter.
The new starter engaged but did not turn the flywheel. Having previously turned the prop with plugs out and the battery disconnected, a seized engine was ruled out. Think of what changed, and having confirmed that the starter slid in freely when installed, I also recalled that the gear was undamaged and the bendix was also able to slide up freely. A buddy came over, turned the key and the starter instantly started the engine. Without a water supply we shut it down but tested it four more times. Each time is started instantly.
At the boat launch and in the water, the motor starts instantly. It has trouble idling and dies when put into gear. I restarted the motor and it runs rough. It is hard to tell if there is a mechanical sound at the flywheel or just a really rough engine. I'll need to get a look at the top of the engine with the covers removed, but meanwhile it is clear that the carbs need attention. The engine will do a noisy, rough high idle, that is I have the throttle opened in neutral hoping it will clear itself out. It takes several squeezes of the bulb for each restart. Meanwhile, I anchor having been adrift, too far and with no power to get back onto the trainer. Ultimately, the engine dies when I put it into gear and the same buddy who dropped me into the water needs to leave to get his boat to tow me.
So far, I know I need to address the carbs. At least drain them and run some cleaner with gas through an external tank. Last year's fuel filter/separator was emptied and there was no sign of water. I started the engine on 5 gallons of new fuel poured into a low tank. I checked the filter again after the launch, hoping to find water to explain the rough running and power loss. No water. My buddy said that the engine sounded like it was gasping for fuel. I am thinking of changing over to a filter/separator with a clear bowl and drain plug, but again, no water is evident.
Two, I know I need to investigate the top-end of the engine. Last year this boat never started on the first try. The starter would need to run after the bulb has been pumped to solid. I was very careful to ensure that the new starter slid up into position freely when installed. It stayed perfectly straight when the top mounting bolts were screwed in. Understanding this to be critical, I actually reset it twice to ensure it slid in straight and with no resistance. My R&R process followed this Evinrude 150 Starter Replacement video exactly. I am suspecting that something is happening between the starter and flywheel that causes the starter to get locked up.
The day after my launch, at my dock, the motor turned over. It ran very rough and needs the throttle open or it will die. I tried to let it run but still no idle and it dies after a minute. It requires the bulb with each restart. It is no longer starting instantly. Rather, like last year, it doesn't start instantly. Unlike last year, it is rough, weak, and can't idle. Adding to that, after several successive restarts and having run the engine a few combined minutes, the starter engages but doesn't turn the engine. It just stops, like it initially did on land. A couple of taps from a hammer, or my buddy stopping by to turn the key will likely cause it to operate again. However, this is not reliable...I need to investigate at the flywheel.
I expect that this will not be a simple, single fix:
The plugs were changed and the lower-end was drained and refilled while the batteries were left on a solar charger for the winter. The three-year-old starter turned very slowly and then not at all on the third attempt. Thereafter, the starter was unresponsive although the solenoid worked. Having confirmed power to the solenoid and then passing the solenoid prompted the replacement of the starter.
The new starter engaged but did not turn the flywheel. Having previously turned the prop with plugs out and the battery disconnected, a seized engine was ruled out. Think of what changed, and having confirmed that the starter slid in freely when installed, I also recalled that the gear was undamaged and the bendix was also able to slide up freely. A buddy came over, turned the key and the starter instantly started the engine. Without a water supply we shut it down but tested it four more times. Each time is started instantly.
At the boat launch and in the water, the motor starts instantly. It has trouble idling and dies when put into gear. I restarted the motor and it runs rough. It is hard to tell if there is a mechanical sound at the flywheel or just a really rough engine. I'll need to get a look at the top of the engine with the covers removed, but meanwhile it is clear that the carbs need attention. The engine will do a noisy, rough high idle, that is I have the throttle opened in neutral hoping it will clear itself out. It takes several squeezes of the bulb for each restart. Meanwhile, I anchor having been adrift, too far and with no power to get back onto the trainer. Ultimately, the engine dies when I put it into gear and the same buddy who dropped me into the water needs to leave to get his boat to tow me.
So far, I know I need to address the carbs. At least drain them and run some cleaner with gas through an external tank. Last year's fuel filter/separator was emptied and there was no sign of water. I started the engine on 5 gallons of new fuel poured into a low tank. I checked the filter again after the launch, hoping to find water to explain the rough running and power loss. No water. My buddy said that the engine sounded like it was gasping for fuel. I am thinking of changing over to a filter/separator with a clear bowl and drain plug, but again, no water is evident.
Two, I know I need to investigate the top-end of the engine. Last year this boat never started on the first try. The starter would need to run after the bulb has been pumped to solid. I was very careful to ensure that the new starter slid up into position freely when installed. It stayed perfectly straight when the top mounting bolts were screwed in. Understanding this to be critical, I actually reset it twice to ensure it slid in straight and with no resistance. My R&R process followed this Evinrude 150 Starter Replacement video exactly. I am suspecting that something is happening between the starter and flywheel that causes the starter to get locked up.
The day after my launch, at my dock, the motor turned over. It ran very rough and needs the throttle open or it will die. I tried to let it run but still no idle and it dies after a minute. It requires the bulb with each restart. It is no longer starting instantly. Rather, like last year, it doesn't start instantly. Unlike last year, it is rough, weak, and can't idle. Adding to that, after several successive restarts and having run the engine a few combined minutes, the starter engages but doesn't turn the engine. It just stops, like it initially did on land. A couple of taps from a hammer, or my buddy stopping by to turn the key will likely cause it to operate again. However, this is not reliable...I need to investigate at the flywheel.
I expect that this will not be a simple, single fix:
- Starter engagement problems
- Rough running and inability to idle
- Dies when put into gear
- Requires repeated priming of the fuel bulb
- What should I check first: the carburetor system or the starter/flywheel area?
- Are there any known issues with this model that could cause these symptoms?
- Any recommendations for diagnosing fuel delivery problems?
