15 hp evinrude won"t start

[999ojq]

So, I just bought a 1980's 15 horse Evinrude. The guy I bought it from started it for me, and it ran very well. When I got it home, I took it out on the water for a spin. Started first pull, idled well, shifted well, and throttled up very nicely. I putted around for a bit and then shut it off (by choking it, as the kill switch had been removed), fished for a while, then went to start it back up again. NOTHING. Tried starting it for 20 minutes before rowing nearly 2 miles back to where I started. Now I have it back home. The fuel bulb is holding pressure. I tested to see if the spark plugs were sparking, and they were. There was a LOT of black oil on and around the plugs though, so I replaced both of them. Didn't make any difference. Any ideas as to why it won't start? I know it runs well, and I saw it start twice, but after that trip on the water, something seems to have happened. Could it be a fuel issue? I'm at a loss as to why it would have started fine, ran great, then failed to start again. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks!!

 

[999ojq]

Re: 15 hp evinrude won"t start

Should I suspect the powerpack??

 

[jmendoza]

Re: 15 hp evinrude won"t start

A flooded 9.9/15 will give you fits for sure and is one of the hardest engines to start in that case if its a rope start only.
The oil fouled plugs need to be replaced, or at least cleaned and dried. Connect the plug wires to the plugs and lay them on the block and pull the engine through several times to see if they spark, and at the same time clear any excess fuel from the cylinders. That will clear out any severe flooding of fuel.

These engines will not start cold without a choke. You may have to choke it, but first put the plugs in and try without the choke. If after several pulss nothing happens, and a plug check reveals wet plugs again, then close the low speed mixture needle and count how many turns out it took to do that. Clean the plugs, and replace them, and try again, the engine should start and die. Now re-open the low speed needle about 3/4 turn and try re-starting.

If the plugs stay dry, and the engine will not start, pull the choke and pull the engine through one time. Often it will start, but die before you can get the choke closed. If it does this keep pulling, it will start. You may have to quickly pull then close the choke if it begins to die, this is somewhat normal during warm up.

Once the engne warms, set the low speed mixture with the engine in gear at low speed by slowly closing the needle until the engine begins to slow down, then open it 1/4 turn.

When I am fishing, if the engine has not been started for an hour, it sometimes requires a choke to re-start. However, never keep the choke on for more than 2 pulls, as it will flood.

 

[999ojq]

Re: 15 hp evinrude won"t start

Jmendoza,

Thanks for that reply! So, I pulled the plugs, made sure they were clean, hooked them up and laid them on the block. I pulled the choke, gave it a few yanks through, and both plugs showed spark. I put the plugs back in, hooked them up, and this time, on the first pull, the engine made a sound like might allllllmost start, and I got a tiny puff of exhaust. What could that mean? I'll go try adjusting the lowspeed mixture needle now....

 

[999ojq]

Re: 15 hp evinrude won"t start

Success!! Pulled the plugs again, yanked the cord a few times to clear it out, put the plugs back in, yanked the cord a few times with the choke out, THEN.. put the choke back in, and after 3 pulls it fired up! Idled great, shifted, and throttled up too. Shut it off, and started it back up again 4 times just to be sure. Hopefully this'll be the last of the problems for now.... Thanks for the help jmendoza!

 

[Supersportster]

Re: 15 hp evinrude won"t start

I hope it is problem solved for you...

Start here up and take it for a good run and see...

If it dies and or won't start again for you, have a close look at your coils....