Timing problem?

[b.gagnon]

<br /> I have a 70’s 135 hp evinrude v4…(rebuilt last season) on a 19’ deep v cub cabin wit a 15-pitch prop. The engine is very hard to start, and sputters at idle, but never stalls (RPM at idle is about 800 and wot is about 4900-5100). Once I get it running it will restart easily as long as it is warm. My first idea is the carbs but I had to order the kits so I can’t install them for a week or so. My second idea is the timing. I saw the guy I got the motor from set the timing with a set of calipers, using them to adjust the distance of the setscrew. At the time I did not think anything of it because I have never set the timing on an outboard before, but after reading the manual it doesn’t seem the right way to do it. And this guy is a total #%$@&^* hacker, but unfortunately I found this out too late. Also do you think that a 17-pitch prop will give me more speed?<br />

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Timing problem?

Yes, the timing could pose such a problem although I would think your holeshot would suffer some too. What spark plugs are you using? What year are the carbs you are using? From the info you have given I'm thinking the p/h is a 1973.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Timing problem?

They used to give a "starting" dimension for the timimg stop screw. Some people would measure it and never check it with a timing light. I'm sure cleaning the carbs will help the starting. Also check the choke plates to make sure they are closing all the way. <br /><br />A bigger prop should give you more speed but you will lose RPM's and you are too low on top RPM's now. That's real hard on the motor. Instead of spending money on another prop right now, try raising the motor. You should increase top RPM's, holeshot and speed.<br /><br />Keep us informed and good luck!

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

The choke is working fine, and all cyls have 150psi in them. There could be a chance that the rpm gauge is wrong (it’s old!!!) But the motor never seems get that jet engine sound that they make when they are at wot and on plane. It also pushes the boat slower than the 115 I had before this one. The one good thing is that the hole shot is amazing! I guess that I should mention that the powerhead is sitting on the same leg as the 115, and it is the same prop. Could slightly off timing cause this? And can you adjust the mixture on these carbs?

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

I am going to check the timing this weekend! The only problem is the manual is with the boat 1.5hrs away. Could you give me an idea of what I need to bring to do the job? Also I should have mentioned that it would hesitate when you give it gas, then go.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

The story behind this motor is……<br /><br />I had purchased a 1985 evinrude 115 wit a 3 month warranty from what I thought was a good shop! First time out I could not get more than 3000rpm so I took it back and they fixed it. After a weeks use the motor seized. One cylinder was not getting enough oil so they blamed me for not mixing properly, but I know I did, and if that were the case all cylinders would have been bad. After arguing with them (cuz they did not want to honor there warranty) they said that they would put a different powerhead on it. I thought this would be a good thing but if I wanted a thirty year old motor I would have bought one!<br />So I guess it goes without saying that this motor is a total mess, and I know just about nothing about it so as far as carbs go I am just assuming they are original. Now they’re out of business.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

Bump....

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Timing problem?

Well now you know why they are out of business. <br /><br />On an OMC or Bombardier E/J carb'd motor one cylinder cannot be deprived of oil and not gas. It does not matter if its premixed or injected. If the cylinder is getting gas (clean carb) it's getting oil. If the carbs are clean and getting fuel to all cylinders, they are getting oil. One cylinder can't be picked on.<br /><br />Now, if the carb was clogged then it can deprive one cylinder of oil but it wont be getting proper amounts of fuel either. If they sold you a motor with a clogged carb, its clearly their responsibility. I cant see how you could have mixed it wrong.<br /><br />The good news is that if you have a 1985 mid section and adaptor plate, the powerhead they put on has to be 1979 or newer (unless you have a horrible water leak that appears to be coming out of the top motor mount area) or they just put newer stern brackets on an older motor.<br /><br />Check the timing and let us know. If it were mine, I think I'd go thru the carbs or have someone take an overall peek at it.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

You are so so so right about the water leak......<br />I hope they die !!! That powerhead does not belong on that leg.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

Well it turns out that my timing light is broken, but I did get the carb kits and installed them with no effect. Still takes forever to start. The plugs are getting wet but it just won’t fire without shooting gas into the carb. The carbs were spotless before the rebuild. I did notice that when I ran with the cover off I got up to about 5400-5500 rpm. One thing that worries me is that after sitting at idle for a while it stalled and would not start again, so I pulled all the plugs and the bottom two had foamy milk like substance on them (could this be water?) After cleaning it started up again.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

bump..

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Timing problem?

Lets back up a second. Are you saying you do have a bad water leak as described? If so, you must either update the powerhead or back date the mid section. <br /><br />You can adapt a newer style p/h to an older mid section but not vise versa. As you are finding out, you will injest water.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

Yes water leak is present. It runs down the front of the leg. Could this be the whole problem?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Timing problem?

I dont think thats the reason its not starting (I have another idea about that) but getting water in the powerhead is or will be a major problem.<br /><br />Lets look at that issue first.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

The block does not seem to get very hot at all, so my guess is that the water is leaking out after circulating through the head. This is just a guess, I could be wrong. But this engine is very loud.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Timing problem?

It's leaking before but the point is that its being injested into the motor. The leak needs to be fixed.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

Is replacing the powerhead the only fix?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Timing problem?

Or changing the adaptor plate. <br /><br />Take the lower pan cover off and look to see if there are two mounting bolts missing on each side.<br /><br />Let us know!

 

[Bry21317]

Re: Timing problem?

It sounds that you might also have an exhaust leak since you said that when you took the cover off it ran better. Mine did this and there was a leak in the exhaust on from the PH to the pee hole. Once it was fixed it runs great now.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bryan Cox

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Timing problem?

When I took the jets out of the carb they were stamped #30. Are these correct? Thanks for all the help; I will give it a look this weekend.