87 15 HP Evinrude - Carburetor needs cleaning?

[Hezekiah]

Hi everyone,

Rough day today.

I have an 87 15 HP evinrude that I've had about a year, and has ran great the whole time. In October, I had some issues with my last boat, and was out of the water for about 4-5 months.

I got another boat in January and had to put a little work into it. Got back on the water in the beginning of February...with the same fuel in the tank.

The motor ran great every time, but each time...once I ran her for a bit and went to idle she would die. Would have to end up choking her to get her started, but ended up starting after a couple of tries.

Next time I took her out...same thing...ran great at WOT...when I went to idle at the boat dock...she died. This time was a little harder to start...even using the choke.

Two weeks later...this morning - when we got to the boat ramp she was extremely hard to start. Wasn't sure if I flooded it or what...took me like 30 minutes to get it started. Once I got it started...it seem to run great. We fished around some canals and stuff...went to start the motor...started first pull...was idling out of the canal...and it started sputtering. I immediately pulled the choke...which made it run better...but when I pushed the choke in and tried to give it gas, it died. And never came back to life.

Did I gum up the carburetor with that old gas?

I've watched a few videos on it (famous last words), and it seems like it's something I can definitely handle....but I'm still nervous and would like to hear what the experts have to say about it.

Thanks.

Hez

 

[ondarvr]

Take it off and clean it, it really isn't that hard.

 

[Hezekiah]

Ok, do you recommend any particular type of cleaner? Or would regular carburetor cleaner from O'Reilly's work?

 

[ondarvr]

Just regular carb cleaner will work.

 

[Hezekiah]

Ok, thank you.

 

[oldboat1]

running fresh gas now, so might be enough to get it running and let it clear (the optimistic approach).

I'm all for carb cleaning -- routine stuff. But if a newbie to it, might want to see if it's a fuel pump issue first. You may have either the little square pump, or the larger one. Think I would test to see if it's pumping fuel -- can get a rebuild kit if needed. The diaphragm is usually the problem, if the fuel pump is failing.

As the motor is new to you, you will want to be sure the water pump impeller is fresh -- don't want to overheat.

 

[ondarvr]

Before pulling the fuel pump off, just squeeze the primer bulb, if that temporarily solves the problem look at the pump, if it doesn't look at the carb.

 

[raczekp1]

only one way is to take out the carb and put it apart and clean everything.
inside is small flexi rubber pipe.check if its not broken.
be careful while tightening the screavs.
lower bowl cup is very sensitive and upper cover is also very sensitive for overtightening

 

[Hezekiah]

I was squeezing the bulb while trying to start it while stranded on the lake today, I think it's getting fuel just fine.

Fixing to break down the carburetor now, if I have any questions during the process you might hear back from me - thanks for the advice.

 

[Hezekiah]

FIXED IT!! WHOOO!! Thanks for the help guys!

 

[ondarvr]

Great news, good job.

 

[oldboat1]

Well done -- and fast! What was it?

 

[Hezekiah]

Well done -- and fast! What was it?

Dirty carb - I could not visibly see a lot of build up, but there was some. Must have been just enough.

I still flooded the damn thing trying to start it. I recently shortened the hose to about 2 ft - guess I'm still priming it too much. But she fired up and ran damn good in the driveway..hope she runs that good when I take her back to the water this weekend.

Cleaning the carbs was simple - this carb only had a bottom that came off...no top...must be a new style?

Thanks again for the help guys.