1989 Evinrude 150xp

Johndhii

Seaman
Joined
Jul 5, 2010
Messages
66
Hello everyone, just bought a boat at the beginning of the month, wasnt too familiart with what all to check, and now am trying to troubleshoot motor problems I am having. A quick rundown of whats been done to the motor.
-original owner had powerhead rebuilt due to VRO failure

-2nd owner said that he had run it maybe 30-35 hrs in past ten years due to restrictions around him with motors, and only able to use trolling motor

-VRo never hooked up again, run off mix with Quicksilver

-Ran it for the first time and it was hard to start, ran rough at start, bogged, and would not go into reverse. Once started was able to do 35mph at 3000rpms.

-took it to a "shop" they replaced a coil, timer base, plugs and stator. Compression on all cylinders 100-115

-Shop told me there was water in the fuel and that it needed to be drained, I drained it myself, unfortunately they didnt check fuel seperator or filters

- i replaced fuel/water seperator which was full of water and what looked like rust.....filter was one of the early 90's colors by rude.....dont think it was ever replaced. Replaced fuel lines as well

-started it on earmuffs, still ran rough, though it was on an angle (my fault)

-took it to the water at the suggestion of another shop, still tough starting, but once started and ran at 2-3k rpms, was able to idle it down to 650-700 and it would stay running. Shutoff engine, it started fine. Let sit for a few hours while fishing, and hard starting again.

-tested primer solenoid and ohms and voltage were good, but when I checked the fuel line going into the carb, no fuel coming out.

-replaced all coils, spark plug wires and put a can of seafoam in

Took out the boat, still rough starting, but ran smooth once warmed up, had no problems running. Let sit for twenty minutes, wouldnt start right up again. Ran it again, and ran beautiful after the initial warmup

How do I get the initial startup problems taken care of, is it me or is it just an old engine, and deal with it?
 

jalbert34668

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
34
Re: 1989 Evinrude 150xp

Sounds like your auto choke is not functioning correctly or not at all. Its a 2 stroke with a primer bulb on the main fuel line and it has a auto choke that works when you turn key on and push in on the key. correct me if I'm wrong but, try to prime before starting (using primer bulb) and the key should be like a push button when key is in it, hold it in and that should engage your choke, disengaging choke when you let of the key. Hold key in if its like a push button key hole and that will help start quicker. if that doesn't work theres a problem with your choke!!
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Re: 1989 Evinrude 150xp

You mentioned testing the fuel primer solenoid and it did not work. That is the choke on that engine. You will probably continue to find it hard to start when cold till you repair/replace that solenoid. Properly working, it will inject a small amount of fuel into the tiny brass hose barb on the top of the 3 carbs to assist starting when cold.
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: 1989 Evinrude 150xp

The fuel primer solenoid is expensive but they sell a rebuild kit for $12.
You might want to inspect the hoses too.
First start of the day, hold the choke in for 5 seconds, they like to be wet to start, keep bumping the choke until it will run on its own.
Rebuild the choke first though.
 
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