1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

[tbilderback]

Hey guys brand new to the forum..looking for any and all help for my 1984 Evinrude...

It seems to run fine on land meaning good idle, will go up in rpm etc...I can even engage the throttle and it will run fine although I don't run it wide open and not for a long period of time....Once I put the boat in the water at times it will run fine and other times it will "die and bog down." There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to it I.E. not on turns, certain rpm etc. I have noticed if I let it sit for a while once running....pull off and let the dogs swim it converts back to the die down and bog bit.

However it will continue to idle if you take it out of gear. If I rev the engine in neutral a couple times then put it back in gear it sometimes recovers (runs fine) and other times it does the same song and dance of bogging down. It seems to have the symptoms of a clogged fuel filter which I have to check and empty quite often...more times than not there is some type of sediment in the inline fuel filter.

However the last couple times it has bogged down there has not been any sediment in the inline filter. Carbs were rebuilt last year, this was the first time on the lake wondering if it was bad gas...i did manage to runout all but about 5 gallons of it on the lake this last weekend. I refueled with 93 and added some Marine Sta-bil. I have also done the squeeze the bulb deal it is in fact hard that seems to help sometimes but I just don't understand why it is so intermittent. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

I am a novice to would be nice to go slow with me :facepalm:!

Tim

 

[Darren94]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Well the easiest solution would be the basic cheap stuff first. Try all fresh gas and new plugs. Check compression. At this point it could be many possible things causing the problem. Hence why i say try the cheap "fixes" first.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

If it runs properly at times, I would think the compression is ok. You can use an inductive timing light to check spark on each cyliner when the problem occours.
Are you running on a built in tank or a 6 gallon tank?

 

[jeffersondodson561]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Try running at that RPM in the water and when you noticed your problem push in on the the key switch/activate the choke/enrichener. If RPM's pick up, probable carb rebuild. Just try not to turn the key towards Clockwise or starter will engage.

 

[tbilderback]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Well the easiest solution would be the basic cheap stuff first. Try all fresh gas and new plugs. Check compression. At this point it could be many possible things causing the problem. Hence why i say try the cheap "fixes" first.

It was just in the shop 5/28/10 Compression was checked there...along with spark. To me it is not missing or dropping a cylinder...I really think it is related to gas flow.

 

[tbilderback]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

I will try the key trick I do know I can...."choke / flood" it out at idle if I press the key multiple times I have not ever tried to do that while running on the water. Would you mind telling me how to check for proper air / fuel mixture and spark timing? I changed the plugs about 3 years ago...I believe they are champion plugs they just simply screw in the engine no spark gap. I have not however replaced the spark plug wires...they look in good condition, but again why would it run and then stop if it was a spark problem?

 

[tbilderback]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

I am running off a fiberglass 20 gallon tank original to the boat...like I said sediment has been a problem in the past. Inductive timing light? Am I able to check this on the lake at the present time it happens? I am not sure of this procedure....sorry beginner.

If it runs properly at times, I would think the compression is ok. You can use an inductive timing light to check spark on each cyliner when the problem occours.
Are you running on a built in tank or a 6 gallon tank?

 

[tbilderback]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

I have been thinking about what happened this last weekend on the lake and I do remember that my engine would not start when I turned the key at times...like a lose batter cable. The starter does not engage..does that high whine noise when a batter is low and won't crank. The more I think about it perhaps it is related to spark. I have ordered new plugs and wires so going to start fresh I also intend to add a water / fuel separator.

Does this help anyone solve the mystery?

Thanks!

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Hopefully you have a fuel filter and water seperator? Have you been running ethynol fuel in that old fiberglass tank? I have seen multiple problems here in FL with the ethynol fuel eating away the resins in older glass tanks and doing quite a bit of damage to engines.

 

[tbilderback]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Hopefully you have a fuel filter and water seperator? Have you been running ethynol fuel in that old fiberglass tank? I have seen multiple problems here in FL with the ethynol fuel eating away the resins in older glass tanks and doing quite a bit of damage to engines.

Yes I burn that Crap you buy at the gas station 93 oct...never had these problems back in the day....

I just installed new water separator / gas filter...it was quite an easy install I went with a Serria. I was told to go with one that did not have a bowl b/c it can be a fire hazard per the local boat shop. I also took it upon myself to do the plugs and wires...I have the "spring like" adapters cut the wire placed in the middle and inserted the pin (hoping I did this right?)...the wires on second glance were quite warn.

THE MEAT of THE Matter: I fired it up last night on land seemed to run like it did before, I noticed it was running a bit better...and not smoking as much. However I did get it to do what it had done on the water. I believe it is/was related to spark. After going back and ensure all were connected and down on the plugs it ran fine. Again I have no way of knowing what it will do on the water under a load. Going to take it out on Sunday, I will keep you posted.

*SIDENOTE:*I did have one questions on the Champion QL77JC4 are those pre-gapped? The plugs that came out of the engine had no tab on the bottom they were flat head...it there anything special I need to do with these new plugs? I believe they had a U call number at the front they were Champion as well. Please let me know If I did those spark plug wires the right way as well.

Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Never assume anything is pre gaped. If you have a fiberglass tank and not water separator/fuel filter, only relying on your in-line fuel filter, you might want to take apart the carbs and clean them. The fiberglass can melt with the ethenol and dry up in the carbs. You might be running a lean condition and not know it. Also might be a bit of varnish in the carbs.

As to the spark, you need to get a spark gap checker and test each plug wire. It will tell you if you have a weak ignition on that plug.

 

[tbilderback]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

:redface: OK--Did wires and plugs and made sure they were all gaped at the .30 specs. I also bought a spark sensor and had spark on all wires / plugs.

We out today and it is still doing the same thing maybe worse than it was before. At times it would run fine but after sitting back to its old tricks. I am now convinced that it has to be the carb and or the fuel pump. It still idles fine although after it bogs down its now having a harder time starting. I will however run at a low rpm in gear but still acts like it is not getting proper fuel.

I would like a step by step process on how to remove the carb on this on a 1984 115 and how to clean it. I did the "Key trick" by pushing it in and sometimes that helped other times it killed the engine.

I can say for certain if I squeeze the gas bulb it will run for a short distance correctly. However I may have encountered another problem. I noticed to day that the vro bulb was compressed! Could this be creating a problem? It has never done this in the past.

Please keep in mind that I did install a water / fuel seperator as well inbetween the gas tank and the bulb is on the other side to the engine so i believe the fuel to be clean.

Never assume anything is pre gaped. If you have a fiberglass tank and not water separator/fuel filter, only relying on your in-line fuel filter, you might want to take apart the carbs and clean them. The fiberglass can melt with the ethenol and dry up in the carbs. You might be running a lean condition and not know it. Also might be a bit of varnish in the carbs.

As to the spark, you need to get a spark gap checker and test each plug wire. It will tell you if you have a weak ignition on that plug.

 

[ac0j]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Is your tank vented? is the vent plugged?

 

[emoney]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

I'd pull off the fuel pump while you're at it and check the filter and/or diaphram. Some folks rebuild their carbs annually because of this new mix fuel. The separator you bought and installed is a great idea, but it's not going to fix the current issue if it's a problem in the carb. They're easy to rebuild, and there's threads on here if you use the search feature that go over carb rebuilding. Do you own a service manual?

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Basically you need to take the 4 carb bolts off. Then the carb will come off. There is one fuel line going to the carb. You might have to replace the line fcoming from the distribution block to each carb seeing that the ends tend to leak air after removal. Just get the auto grade fuel line from any auto store.

Also there is a diference in the zip ties that they use for fuel lines and a normal one from any store. The ones for fuel lines have wings on the one side that contacts the fuel line. These wings close out any wrinkle that may be cause by tightening the zip tie.

With the carb off take off the side plate, and bowl, and any other things that are bolted/screwed to it. Soak it in Varsol for 3-5 minutes and the start scrubbing. I use a paint gun cleaning brush kit from Harbour Freight. They are cheap ($2) and the are nice and small round brushes. Scrubb every tub, hole, orfice that there is. Normally where the obstruction is. Scrub every component you took off. With the jets scrub them if the brushes fit in the holes, if not use a piece of wire from either a wire brush or electrical wire. Resoak and then blow out with compressed air. I always scrub a sceond time. I hate having to do rebuilt carbs twice.

Here is a pic of the brushes from Harbour Frieght.



Reassemble the carbs with new carb kits. The old gaskets will be compressed and will possibly cause a very small air leak if reused. The small air leak will cause a lean condition. This lean condition will make it run like crap but also cause the motor to die over time. Lack of oil.

Nezt while you have the carbs off, you will want to clean the orfices in the throttle plate. Here is a pic of the holes you will want to clean. Use a piece of wire to clean them and some carb cleaner. Blow compressed air throught them. These are the opening that the fuel is delivered to your motor at idle. These are the ones that are probably clogged.



Lastly if you want to rebuild the VRO pump then here is a pic of the rebuild kits that I used to do mine. You will want to do some reasearch before buying these for yours. I do not know if the parts are the same for yours. I used this web site to fine the parts for mine. Check it out.

http://www.maxrules.com/VROrepair.htm

With this rebuild though the Oil side will need to be turned off. You will need to run premixed.

Lastly if you have installed the fuel/water separator on your boat. You might want to remove the filter and dump it into a mason jar. Chech out what comes out. If there is a ton of crap in it. then your tank might be gone. Seeing it is fiberglass. Also while you are doing it take another jar and lid and take a sample of the gas. Let it sit over night and see if it separates. You might have phase separation of the ethonal and gas.

Just a couple thoughts.

 

[jeffersondodson561]

Re: 1984 Evinrude Stalls under load.

Would you mind telling me how to check for proper air / fuel mixture and spark timing?

How I do it is, probably best to do it in the water, run the engine at just off idle in gear about 1000 rpms, have some one steer the boat or tie it to the dock. With the airbox removed get a can of carb spray and spray quick burst of the carb spray into each carb (1/10th of a second burst). If your rpm's increase you have a lean condition (probable carb repair), if rpms drop and then pick back up to orignial rpms, probable good air/fuel mixture, if no change in rpms problems with cylinder combustion i.e. spark/spark plug/bad compression etc. Verify spark with timing light on all cylinders and especially on #1 cylinder.