Where do I start with this Evinrude???

[olmckee]

I have a 1986 Evinrude 90hp, V4 that I would like to get running better. Right now it runs ok, but smokes alot! and is very hard to start. What is the first place to look? As far as I know the engine has never been rebuilt and seems to have good power once you get it going, but the guy I bought the boat from said he could get it going about 40-45 mph, all I have been able to get is about 30-35. This could just be speedometer related, and 30 is plenty fast for me but I thought it could be a sign of compression going bad? <br />The engine is not using the oil injector, the fuel pump has been replaced with a standard pump and I am mixing at 50:1. <br />Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

olmckee...firt...a big welcome to the iboats forums.<br /><br />Since we don't know about the time lapse between the last tune-up and now, I would say that would be a good place to start.<br /><br />Do a decarb, check compression, spark and all fuel line and hose connection are tight.<br /><br />Look at the spark plugs and make sure they are burning clean. You should see a tan color on a plug that is burning good.<br /><br />Did you buy just the motor or did ya' get the whole rig?<br /><br />Do you use the Trim & Tilt?<br /><br />If you don't have one, a service manual would be a great help to you. It's loaded with info about your specific engine and can lead you through many troubleshooting operations should you need it.<br /><br />Keep us posted.

 

[olmckee]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

Thanks OBJ!<br /><br />I bought the whole rig boat, motor, and trailer.<br />I replaced the plugs last spring and had a mechanic replace impeller and reg/rect last summer. He took "a general look around it" and ran some decarb through it and said it was fine. However it seems to have gotten worse since then. Could it be that with the old impeller only working so-so the engine was running hotter and therefore better?(ie starting quicker after a short run,less smoke).<br />I will take a look at the plugs and see how they are doing. <br />One other thing I switched to synthetic oil a while back, has anyone found it to smoke more than reg. oil?

 

[olmckee]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

Almost forgot, I am using the trim/tilt. <br /><br />Thanks

 

[OBJ]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

Can you tell us what kind of rpms your getting at WOT (wide open throttle) with the boat on plane?

 

[olmckee]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

probably about 4000-4500 or so

 

[Solittle]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

Follow OBJ's suggestions on the tune up to get the motor running OK. Then you will need to go after the prop as you are about 1,000 rpms short of what you should be getting at WOT. Forget the speed for now. What pitch prop are you running?

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

Oh yea, and forget about the smoking. It's a two stroke, they do that.

 

[olmckee]

Re: Where do I start with this Evinrude???

not sure on the pitch of the prop, but it is the original prop that came from the dealer, as far as the smoking goes, I am not talking about a little here and there, its more like a cloud<br /><br />I was searching some older posts and someone was talking about the priming bulb not getting hard as a possible sign of trouble, mine seems to have this issue even after 10-15 squeezes