low rpms on 89 evinrude 88 spl

[dnintenn]

I recently acquired a 16 ft winner bass boat with an 89 evinrude 88 spl outboard. At full throttle this engine never goes above 3500 rpms. It also seems slugish off the line like its struggling and once it gets up to full speed it runs great. Trying to pull a water skier made it even worse. Was wondering if we need a different prop or if there might be some mechanical problem. Shes also really hard to start when fully warmed up and sometimes needs to sit 20 min or so.

 

[marinegrh]

Re: low rpms on 89 evinrude 88 spl

howd the previous owner say it ran, if good, well take it for what its worth, sounds like clogged high speed jets , could even be a bad pack, start with compression fire and fuel, and post your numbers for us to read<br /><br />get a service manual, it will pay for itself<br /><br />good luck and keep us infoed

 

[rodbolt]

Re: low rpms on 89 evinrude 88 spl

its time to have a competent facility to run your engine on a test wheel or a dyno. I use a IDC model 2003 but a test wheel is just as good.<br />before you chase prop sizes make sure the engine is making the power it is supposed to. that and all the basics. do you have compression, fuel spark and exhaust all at the proper time?<br /> let us know