1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

[j_seph]

Went to the lake Sat. back boat in won't start,take the cover off and bump the cover on the left side facing forward that has the 3 elec. plugs in it, turn the key and it cranks. RUns good for a while, then while runningacross the lake it starts like ts running on 1 cylinder. I come down to about 1/3 throttle and it smooths up until u go to WOT.Turn the engine off and immediatly crank it back up and runs fine for a few minutes then acts up again. Same scenerio off then on runs fine. HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPP

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

Your engine is overheating and engaging the S.L.O.W. feature which interups the ignition, causing the rpms to drops. This indicates that the water pump has failed.

 

[j_seph]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

Water Pump how come my light don't come on and say its hot? Put an impeller in last year and it pumps water as good as my house spicket? How sure are you that this is it?
Thanks
Joe

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

Just because its pumping water does not mean it will not overheat. A thermostat that's stuck shut is just one reason. A malfunctioning overtemp switch may not alert you to the overheat condition.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

Good point Silvertip..... The thermostat malfunction factor had slipped my mind.

 

[j_seph]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

o.k.
I unhooked the wire that goes to the temp switch and grounded it to the engine and the alarm went off so now what

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

That test verifies that the horn works -- but only IF the temp switch works. Pull the thermostat, suspend it in a pan of water and using a meat thermometer, slowly allow the water to heat while watching the temperature. The thermostat should open somewhere in the range of 140 - 155 degrees. If not, replace it.

 

[j_seph]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

Thermostat opened fine, how could the engine overheat and cause this. I can go from a cold start and take off and it will do this. There for the engine has not even gotten warm yet.I can cut the switch off with it warm and doing this and crank it right back up and run for an hour w/o a problem

 

[ob]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

First off,from my view I can't tell if you're chasing an ignition issue or a fuel delivery issue.Test run the engine and when it acts like it's losing power try first pumping the fuel primer bulb and see if it picks up.If not then the fuel pump is probably not the culrpit.If so it likely is.Next try intermittedly pushing in on the key primer and see if it picks up.If not probably not a restricted carb.Also make certain that the fuel tank vent is clear and the primer bulb is not colapsing when this loss of power occurs.Otherwise,I recommend performing a spark test on the engine and making sure that both plug leads will jump a 1/2" gap at cranking speed.Also inspect all of the engine wiring ground connections and insure that they are free of corrosion.One other item you might look at also is the lower plug lead where it is routed near the engine cover latch and make sure it is not chaffed causing a spark grouding issue.

 

[surferweller]

Re: 1997 Evinrude 50hp still having problems

Just a cadet here, but what your describing is identical to what happened to my 1990 3cyl yamaha. Turns out the plugs were oldish and when hot they began to short, going down to 2 cylinders, then just one, and when at full temp, refusing to kick over at all. If you havent (which i'm sure you have) replace the plugs and see if that helps.