1974 Evinrude 6hp will not stay running and no top speed

[Bunky211]

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting here. I just bought a small 14 foot jonboat with a 6hp evinrude, owner said it was a 1974. Owner said there were no problems at all. When I took it out, I noticed that the engine starts right up usually 1st or 2nd pull but the boat wont go over 5 mph. While I'm running if pull the choke out and push it back in I get about 2 seconds of more power, then back down to the slow speed. It also will run for a few minutes then die and I have to start it again. It will usually start right back up with no problems.

I have done some research on this site and found it may be the orifice plug? I am not too familiar with outboard, so I took off the cover, located the slow speed adjuster, then underneath it, where I think the orifice plug would be, there is a small screw with a red washer on it. The screw plugs directly into the engine (or carb?) but I'm unable to see any orifice plug or anything else. Is that normal? From all the diagrams I can see, it appears the screw and washer plug into the orifice, which plugs into the carb? Or am I missing something? Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks!
Dan

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 6hp will not stay running and no top speed

You are correct, the orifice is behind that screw. Normally it is cleaned by removing the carb, but if you're good you can clean it out with a small, very straight wire while on the water. Been there, done that, got the gas soaked hands to prove it. If you poke it out while the carb is installed and it runs better, then you can pretty well be guaranteed that there is other crap in there and it will soon clog again.

 

[Bunky211]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 6hp will not stay running and no top speed

Okay, so the orifice is located behind that screw...where is the orifice plug located?

How do I clean the orifice? Take the screw and washer out and just stick a piece of copper wire in there and try to get any gunk out of there? Then replace the screw and call it a day? I feel like I'm missing something...

Thanks
Dan

 

[Bunky211]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 6hp will not stay running and no top speed

sorry double post

 

[Bunky211]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 6hp will not stay running and no top speed

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Bunky211]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 6hp will not stay running and no top speed

Well I took it to a mechanic this weekend. He cleaned the carbs, changed the fuel pump and tuned it..I got him home and still had the same problem. He said to buy another fuel tank, so I did, and the problem went away for a few minutes but the same thing is going on now. The only way to get power from the motor is to mess with the choke while running it or else it is very sluggish and dies within seconds. It always starts right back up 1st pull though.

 

[crxess]

Re: 1974 Evinrude 6hp will not stay running and no top speed

You need to check Fire to both plugs under load. while running, pull one plug wire. The motor should bog down. Repeat for the other plug.

If pulling one wire has no effect, that plug is not firing.

Possibilities: Bad spark plug / Plug wire /coil / points / condenser

Other concerns: Exhaust leak around power head / Low compression in 1 or both cylinders / overheating

Orifice and orifice Plug 2 names 1 part.