140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

[kkirk]

Hi, First post!!!

I have a 79 Evinrude 140 on a 18' larson open bow, the motor has run good the last 3 weekends took it out of the water Sunday and can not get it started again. I have the manual and have checked everything I can think of.
it sparks, compression is good, timing is good, fuel is getting through. someone mentioned that on the remote throttle there is a little screw in front
I see it but have no idea what its for. can anyone help me... it usually takes about 10-20 minutes of cranking before the motor fires up. If I start it everyday it runs fine, if I leave it for more than 2 days It takes forever to start again. this time it sat for 3 days and It just wont start, sucked the battery dry twice already....any clues!!

 

[jonesg]

Re: 140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

"it sparks" doesn't tell you anything if it will not jump 7/16th inch gap,

do you have a spark gap tester?
they only cost $10 at any auto store.

when it won't start are the plugs wet with fresh fuel?

 

[kkirk]

Re: 140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

Hi thanks for the reply.
if you mean a spark plug gap set I do have one. The plugs on the motor are the flat face plugs (not like auto plugs) and yes they are wet. I have even taken them out and cranked the motor to see if maybe its flooded. Should I use a standard plug like the ones for auto's? the manual says to gap at 40

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

Champion UL77V gapped at .030.

this is a spark tester. you set it at 1/2 to 7/16, connect to plug wire, and ground to motor, then turn the motor over. should have bright snap spark. test each cylinder.

 

[kkirk]

Re: 140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

Thank you I will get the tester and new plugs this afternoon..

 

[jonesg]

Re: 140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

yep thats the one, the reason you need to use the gap tester is a sparkplug isn't going to show spark strength,
under compression it might not be jumping.

 

[cdoliver]

Re: 140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

just to be clear, I believe the UL77v plugs are surface gap (and probably what you have now), I think he meant to use Champion QL77JC4 gapped at .030"

 

[kkirk]

Re: 140 Evinrude runs then will not restart

Thanks Guys,

checked the spark yesterday afternoon and all 4 are good. got the motor started last night. I think I have it down to a fuel problem, seems to be flooding while trying to start. I have to pull plug #1 blow out the cyl, replace the plug and it fire up on 1 or 2 cranks. I have never rebuilt or even taken the carbs off...is it difficult or time consuming to do? My first boat so a little scpetical about ripping the carbs off the first time and trying to rebuild them.