I apologize in advance, this post will be lengthy.
I recently purchased an old Sears 14' Aluminum boat with a '75 Evinrude 25HP motor. The boat has the remote start, and steering wheel (cable over pulley type), and remote controls. This is my first boat, so I'm really not very confident in my two-cycle abilities (but I'm wanting to learn).
This boat sat outside (uncovered, and unrun) for 7-10 years before I got it. I suppose I should just be grateful it runs at all =)
I've done some work already which I'll detail before I list my problems.
Overhauled the carbs (new carb kit [and had help from someone with experience]). I probably don't have the speed screws adjusted properly.
Changed the spark plugs.
Changed the impeller (I did have a d'oh moment and removed the drive shaft from the lower unit. The manual seemed to indicate this wasn't a problem though).
Replaced the fuel lines, tank, bulb.
Replaced external wiring (for remote start). The connector is obsolete (so I've been told) so it's jury rigged, but it seems to work).
Replaced the battery.
Replaced the throttle cable, and the shift cable.
Replaced the steering cable (boy was that was fun).
I still need to change the prop or get it repaired since it's pretty chewed up.
The engine has been rather difficult to start, but it's been running pretty well (15 minutes at a time after it's warm) at home in the trash can. I decided to try it out in the lake, and below is what I've noticed.
Here's my problems:
Excessive oil in the water (there's quite a bit of oil left in the trash can after runs at the house).
On two occasions the hole in the front of the carb (with the butterfly valve) leaked gasoline when I lifted the engine. My guess is that the float valve got stuck (the boat sat for 6 months after I overhauled the carb. I left the carb empty of fuel which I understand might be a bad thing now). After the initial run, it hasn't done this again.
It's much harder to start in the lake than at home (or seems to be). I've been shifting into gear at low speed, and the engine will struggle and die. I've tried revving up the throttle a little more and it seems to shift into gear a little better, but if I give it too much, then it dies. After the engine finally warms up, things start running a little better, but the power seems to surge and the engine will bog down and die. Lifting the gas tank from the bottom to the bench seems to help, and squeezing the bulb every so often seems to help keep it going a little longer. For whatever reason, when I'm turning at higher speeds the engine will bog down and quit (my suspicion is that the throttle cable that the parts dealer talked me into is too short). I should also mention that the throttle doesn't move very freely (either from the remote or the tiller).
I've been doing a lot of reading here, and talking to friends, and the problems seem that they could be:
1) carb is improperly adjusted
2) Timing is off (and/or ignition coils need replacing)
3) Fuel pump isn't so good (my thoughts)
4) Carbon buildup (I'll buy some sea foam, and try it out)
5) clutch dog issues (from a possible screw-up on the impeller install)
6) Overheating
7) ?
I think I'm going to attempt 1 and 4 first since those seem to be the cheapest and easiest options to start with. I'll reread the carb adjustment guide here before I have a go.
I'm also wondering how I can check the RPMs on the motor since I don't have a tachometer (can one be installed?)
In addition, other than changing the grease on the lower unit, is there anything else (maintenance wise) I should do soon?
Thanks for any help,
soapee01
I recently purchased an old Sears 14' Aluminum boat with a '75 Evinrude 25HP motor. The boat has the remote start, and steering wheel (cable over pulley type), and remote controls. This is my first boat, so I'm really not very confident in my two-cycle abilities (but I'm wanting to learn).
This boat sat outside (uncovered, and unrun) for 7-10 years before I got it. I suppose I should just be grateful it runs at all =)
I've done some work already which I'll detail before I list my problems.
Overhauled the carbs (new carb kit [and had help from someone with experience]). I probably don't have the speed screws adjusted properly.
Changed the spark plugs.
Changed the impeller (I did have a d'oh moment and removed the drive shaft from the lower unit. The manual seemed to indicate this wasn't a problem though).
Replaced the fuel lines, tank, bulb.
Replaced external wiring (for remote start). The connector is obsolete (so I've been told) so it's jury rigged, but it seems to work).
Replaced the battery.
Replaced the throttle cable, and the shift cable.
Replaced the steering cable (boy was that was fun).
I still need to change the prop or get it repaired since it's pretty chewed up.
The engine has been rather difficult to start, but it's been running pretty well (15 minutes at a time after it's warm) at home in the trash can. I decided to try it out in the lake, and below is what I've noticed.
Here's my problems:
Excessive oil in the water (there's quite a bit of oil left in the trash can after runs at the house).
On two occasions the hole in the front of the carb (with the butterfly valve) leaked gasoline when I lifted the engine. My guess is that the float valve got stuck (the boat sat for 6 months after I overhauled the carb. I left the carb empty of fuel which I understand might be a bad thing now). After the initial run, it hasn't done this again.
It's much harder to start in the lake than at home (or seems to be). I've been shifting into gear at low speed, and the engine will struggle and die. I've tried revving up the throttle a little more and it seems to shift into gear a little better, but if I give it too much, then it dies. After the engine finally warms up, things start running a little better, but the power seems to surge and the engine will bog down and die. Lifting the gas tank from the bottom to the bench seems to help, and squeezing the bulb every so often seems to help keep it going a little longer. For whatever reason, when I'm turning at higher speeds the engine will bog down and quit (my suspicion is that the throttle cable that the parts dealer talked me into is too short). I should also mention that the throttle doesn't move very freely (either from the remote or the tiller).
I've been doing a lot of reading here, and talking to friends, and the problems seem that they could be:
1) carb is improperly adjusted
2) Timing is off (and/or ignition coils need replacing)
3) Fuel pump isn't so good (my thoughts)
4) Carbon buildup (I'll buy some sea foam, and try it out)
5) clutch dog issues (from a possible screw-up on the impeller install)
6) Overheating
7) ?
I think I'm going to attempt 1 and 4 first since those seem to be the cheapest and easiest options to start with. I'll reread the carb adjustment guide here before I have a go.
I'm also wondering how I can check the RPMs on the motor since I don't have a tachometer (can one be installed?)
In addition, other than changing the grease on the lower unit, is there anything else (maintenance wise) I should do soon?
Thanks for any help,
soapee01
