1978 evinrude 235 won't start

[wet_rat]

1978 evinrude 235. I recently purchased this from a widow who knew nothing about it other then her
husband kept it at the lake, he used it 4 days prior to passing(which was 6 weeks ago). She recalls him walking to the dock, playing in the boat a few minutes, cranking it and heading off. She said it usually
took a couple tries for the motor to start.
I have added 10 gal of fresh fuel premixed 50:1. There are autlite surface gap plugs in good shape
I have read a lot in these forums on proper starting technique to no avail.
Steps followed:
Squeeze bulb until firm
Turn key to on, press key in.
Turn key while pressed in. Motor will turn over a few times and quit
Turn key to RUN, press in once, turn key without pressing key in. Motor will turn over a few times
And quit
Every once in awhile it wil run for 3 seconds or so and shut off

It's fall fishing and I need this thing to run. Hellllllllllp

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

Those engines are a little hard to start. They rely on choke butterflys, just like in the old cars. Problem with your model that year is that there are only choke butterflys on two of the three carbs. My 79 was always tricky that way. You may not be keeping the choke on long enough. The choke butterflys only close when the key is pushed in. Once the engine fires, you can release the key, but will probably have to keep pushing it in every few seconds for the first minute to keep it running. It should be warm enough to run without any choke after a minute. The recommended plugs for that engine are the center fire Champions UL77V-I'd probably switch to them.

 

[wet_rat]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

Those engines are a little hard to start. They rely on choke butterflys, just like in the old cars. Problem with your model that year is that there are only choke butterflys on two of the three carbs. My 79 was always tricky that way. You may not be keeping the choke on long enough. The choke butterflys only close when the key is pushed in. Once the engine fires, you can release the key, but will probably have to keep pushing it in every few seconds for the first minute to keep it running. It should be warm enough to run without any choke after a minute. The recommended plugs for that engine are the center fire Champions UL77V-I'd probably switch to them.

I think I'm on the right track. I have ordered those champion plugs already
So after my initial attempt to start with key constantly pushed in should I continue
Trying to start it the same way? Or just push the key in and not hold it while starting?
When I attempt to start it while holding the key in should there be a delay before the motor turns over? It normally takes 4-5 secs before the motor turns over when I engage the key

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

It is unusual to have a delay when starting. Possible you may have a weak battery or some other problem in the starting system. The engine needs to crank at least 200-250 rpm's in order to fire the ignition system. If it cranks slow, it won't fire the plugs. Check your connections with the battery, You can test the starter by jumping it direct to the battery with starter with jumper cables to make sure it rotates the proper rpm's. There should be no rpm difference between jumping the starter, and using the key switch. Also, check the starter solenoid. If the internal solenoid contacts get burned, they won't transfer current properly...

 

[wet_rat]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

So today I replaced all the fuel lines because I could never get the fuel bulb to stay firm. Furl line change didn't help much. I tried this starting pattern
Squuze bulb SEVERAL times
Turn key to on, press key in, turn key while holding in
Turns over several times, starts for a second and dies
Turn key to on, press key, turn key without holding. Turns over a few times and dies
Attempt this several more times with breaks to cool the starter. Still won't start

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

You will want add another step to your starting procedure: pull up on the cold start lever on the control box. This will slightly open the carb butterflys during the starting procedure. Once started, the lever acts like a fast idle.

 

[wet_rat]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

You will want add another step to your starting procedure: pull up on the cold start lever on the control box. This will slightly open the carb butterflys during the starting procedure. Once started, the lever acts like a fast idle.

Ummm, don't have a cold start lever(that I'm aware of)

 

[wet_rat]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

Let me add this. When I pump the fuel bulb 4-5X I get very little fuel in the fuel filter(2tsp). I have replaced ALL fuel lines and ensured each was tight. The only other air leak would have to be between the bulb and fuel tank. I want to continue squeezing it but don't want to flood it either. recommends?.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

You should not flood the engine by priming the fuel hose. When the bowls fill up, the float valve assembly should shut off any more incoming fuel. You will know that when the primer bulb gets hard. Is the fuel hose directionally connected the correct way?

 

[laotou]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

Ummm, don't have a cold start lever(that I'm aware of)

You should have a warm-up lever.Check this link. http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...R&manufacturer=Johnson&section=Remote+Control It is part # 67. In my machine, it is the white lever in the right of the attached picture. Lift the warm-up lever all the way up. It is crucial.

 

[wet_rat]

Re: 1978 evinrude 235 won't start

You should have a warm-up lever.Check this link. http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...R&manufacturer=Johnson&section=Remote+Control It is part # 67. In my machine, it is the white lever in the right of the attached picture. Lift the warm-up lever all the way up. It is crucial.

This is a center console with these controls
http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/Teleflex_S_Series_Top_Mount_Control_CH5200_Series.html