89 40hp Evinrude

[woodduck17]

This is a TE40ELCEC. Yesterday I was running down the lake at about 3/4 throttle, up on plane. There was a little hesitation, then it dropped to idle speed. I let it idle for about 15 seconds then took it back up to running speed. There was good water flow from the water pump indicator and no alarms sounded. It did this twice.The gas in the tank is only a week old and this was the second trip on this tank. No problems on the last trip. It shows blue smoke on start-up , so the VRO seems to be working OK. What should I be looking at?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

possible over heat, vent closed or clogged on fuel tank.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

Could it overheat and still show good waterflow at the water pump indicator?

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

Any hints would be appreciated---

 

[5150abf]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

I would say yes it could because the water supply for the tell tale is before the water goes into the engine, but I don't think that is it or the overheat alarm would come on.
I would look for a restriction in the gas line first, it could be partially blocked, hose kinked, something like that.
Keep posting what you find out.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

Thanks 5150, I'll check that out.

 

[kjdunne]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

I have the same model engine. Also check to see if the overheat warning system is working. It's very easy. At the upper left of the head, (looking at the spark plugs), is the temperature switch, or sensor. It has a tan wire which goes into a "bullet plug" connector. Disconnect the plug and with the ignition key in the on position, use a jumper wire to short the tan wire that goes to the big red plug, (not the pigtail from the switch) to a clean spot on the engine block. You should hear a steady tone from the alarm horn. If not, you may have a problem in the wiring to the horn, or the horn itself may be bad. If the horn is not working, the engine may be overheating and the SLOW system is doing it's job to limit RPM until it cools down and avoiding toasting the engine.

Let us know what the cure is, as it helps us all learn how to fix these things.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

I pulled the Tan wire and did the test. The horn sounded like it was supposed to. Just for grins and giggles I want to replace the fuel filter---Will any automotive type of comprable size do, or do I need to buy a special one? It looks just like I have seen on other engines. I think I have done everything that can be done on earmuffs. I guess I need to take it to the lake and see if I can duplicate the problem at higher speeds. The book says no more that 2000 rpm on the muffs. Ran it for a long time at that speed and no sign of overheating or fuel restriction. I have a new trolling motor battery so I SHOULD be able to get back to the ramp if it dies.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

OK,so here's another question---I replaced the fuel filter with one that is clear and I can see it as the motor is running. Should the filter be full of fuel as the motor is idling? I can squeeze the bulb and make it fill about 3/4 full, but as it is running(on the earmuffs) the filter drains and and fuel flows OK. It doesn't seem to be starving for fuel and runs smooth at 2000 rpm. If I take it to the lake and run it at higher rpm should the filter fill up? Thanks for the help----

 

[kjdunne]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

No, the filter will not fill up. The old timers will tell you how many fuel pumps were replaced needlessly before the opaque filters were used.

 

[woodduck17]

Re: 89 40hp Evinrude

thanks kjd--That's exactly what I was planning to do.