Stuck with my 1987 evinrude 40hp

[AngryBish]

Hi guys,

I am at my wits end with my 1987 evinrude 40hp VRO. The oil injection has been disconnected before I owned it.

I recently had an overheating (I think) issue. When at low speed and idle an alarm would sound at the side steer shifter. Constant beeping. I’d turn the key off and turn it back to run (but not start the motor) and the beeping would continue.

I changed the water pump, thermostat, and temp sensor.

Same issues. Strong stream of water from the tell tale. WTF. what else could it be? I’m very frustrated with the motor.

model of motor is CE40ELCUD

 

[juno pierrat]

time to dig deeper, remove head, clean water passages, you'll find it easier then removing the water jacket.

 

[AngryBish]

time to dig deeper, remove head, clean water passages, you'll find it easier then removing the water jacket.

if water passages are clogged would tell tale be pissing water??

 

[racerone]

On most motors the water that comes out the tell tale DOES NOT circulate through the motor.-----The tell tale indicates that the water pump is working.----A tell tale pissing like a race horse does not mean that the motor is cooling properly.

 

[AngryBish]

On most motors the water that comes out the tell tale DOES NOT circulate through the motor.-----The tell tale indicates that the water pump is working.----A tell tale pissing like a race horse does not mean that the motor is cooling properly.

That’s what I figured.

I don’t really want to take the head apart. Then open a rabbit hole. Pistons, rings, etc.

 

[juno pierrat]

yep, water gets to tell tale long before thermostat and passages

 

[juno pierrat]

long time ago went thru same thing, turned out to be head gasket down by stat was messed up, if compression is good should be ok, but yah, my worry was broken bolts, but it went good, still got 140 psi compression( 48SPL )

 

[AngryBish]

long time ago went thru same thing, turned out to be head gasket down by stat was messed up, if compression is good should be ok, but yah, my worry was broken bolts, but it went good, still got 140 psi compression( 48SPL )

I guess next step is compression test.

i don’t think I have low compression as the motor runs great. But who knows.

 

[AngryBish]

Do you guys have any tips to clean the water passages? I run only fresh water. Boat has never seen salt.

 

[oldboat1]

Put the heel of your hand on the top of the head and see if it's too hot to touch. An infrared meter is a great tool -- should run at about 120-140F.

Check to see if the VRO harness is disconnected, and the oil line plugged.

Run with a 50:1 mix.

 

[AngryBish]

Put the heel of your hand on the top of the head and see if it's too hot to touch. An infrared meter is a great tool -- should run at about 120-140F.

Check to see if the VRO harness is disconnected, and the oil line plugged.

Run with a 50:1 mix.

too hot to touch for sure. VRO harmess is disconnected and oil line has what looks like a self tapping screw in it plugging it.

i always ran 50:1. Will try to find a infrared on sale somewhere. Or borrow one

edit:

is there a chemical I can run through to try and clean the head without disassembling? Cooling system cleaner perhaps.

 

[oldboat1]

Sand or silt can clog passages too. I would remove the head and try to clear passages around the cylinders (thin blade -- hack saw blade or similar). Check the intake in the lower unit to make sure there is not blockage there.

 

[AngryBish]

135psi on both cylinders. Can’t be head gasket??


tried to flush the system with a garden hose on the pickup tube with a hose clamp. Was shooting water from tell tale across yard. Thought I had it beat. Ran it again, with ear muffs. Same alarm. Burnt my hand on the block. Block is very cool at full throttle. WHAT GIVES.

i think next step for my is to take off cylinder head cover again, and flush water through the thermostat hole.

 

[juno pierrat]

just soak heads bolts in break free or what ever, i still think the head needs to come off, and easier to mess with thermostat with head in hand, if you need manual can recommend site

 

[AngryBish]

just soak heads bolts in break free or what ever, i still think the head needs to come off, and easier to mess with thermostat with head in hand, if you need manual can recommend site

A manual would be great

 

[AngryBish]

Well.... pulled the head. Cylinder and pistons look in great shape. For a 30 year old engine. Head gasket has a few holes in the water jackets that I suspect are problematic. Bottom piston has a lot more carbon than the top. Assume this is where water was leaking. Will update when I receive the new gasket.

 

[juno pierrat]

bump, hows thing go'en ? sent PM about manual

 

[AngryBish]

bump, hows thing go'en ? sent PM about manual

thanks for checking in. I didn’t end up buying the manual. For some reason I could reply to your private message on mobile phone.

waiting on head gasket in the mail. Canada post is delayed due to covid. Have the head off and cleaned piston tops.

 

[AngryBish]

New head gasket installed. Torqued the bolts to 20ft/lbs. ran the engine for about 30 mins. No overheat alarm!

might have beat it haha.

 

[oldboat1]

Retorque after running a bit. :thumb: