'89-90 50 HP Acting Up

[acalabro]

First time having this kind of issue (after being warmed up) with my (1989-90?) 50 that I purchased a few months ago. Got to the boat ramp yesterday and outside temp was around ~58F. With a few pumps of the primer ball and engaging the choke, it wouldn't start. So I figured this was because of the cold but did what I've done before to get it started, sprayed gum-out carb & choke cleaner all over the carb and it fired right up.
Initially when I started having this problem even in the hot weather but no use after a week, I thought the carb needed to be cleaned but I don't have much experience with motors so I told myself its a fluke.
The issue: It had never showed this issue of hard starting after being warmed up on the water, but yesterday after a few stop and go fishing stops everything was fine till later in the day, then go to start the motor and it would start for a few seconds then die, then wouldn't start at all until I spray gum out all over the carb and throttle up in neutral it fires up but I have to hold it there for a few seconds before going back to idle. Very hard to start it sounds like its not getting fuel. One time, when looking at the carb as I engage the starter, it looks like fuel shot out the back sides of the carb. It's very annoying to have to do this out on the water but don't know where to start, I would assume to rebuild/replace gaskets carb.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: '89-90 50 HP Acting Up

Start the healing process with clean plugs.

 

[acalabro]

Re: '89-90 50 HP Acting Up

Just changed the plugs a few months (15-30 hours) back but I will check if they are fouled.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: '89-90 50 HP Acting Up

Start with a compression test.Then a spark test.
Then the fuel pump, take it apart, check for torn diaphram.
Clean the carb.While it's off check the reeds behind the carb.

 

[acalabro]

Re: '89-90 50 HP Acting Up

Tried running a bit of seafoam thru with gas mix and sprayed thoroughly removing hoping I could get a quick fix without removing the carbs as I never have rebuilt the carbs and there's not a rebuild kit available for my motor. That did not work I had the same problem after taking it out.
So today I took the carb apart and did a thorough cleaning with cleaner and compressed air. It appears the inlet needle has a groove on it so I am ordering that and a seal kit for the carb. One thing that I did notice is that the float wasn't adjusted correctly as stated in the manual. It didn't stop at the right level according to the manual so I bent the tangs to the right level as well.
We will see after I put new seals(a few gaskets) and a new needle & seat if it is fixed. Will keep you posted

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: '89-90 50 HP Acting Up

How aout the basics?? Compression/spark?? That's the first thing to do on ANY repair???
Pics of the needle?How dirty?Corroded?

 

[acalabro]

Re: '89-90 50 HP Acting Up

How aout the basics?? Compression/spark?? That's the first thing to do on ANY repair???
Pics of the needle?How dirty?Corroded?

Here is a pic of needle attached which looks like it has a groove on it.
The entire carb looked pretty clean but I sprayed and cleaned anyway.
The motor runs fine once started. And the only time it is hard to start is after a 10-15 minute ride to the fishing spot, sitting for 10-15 minutes.
After running all day and having symptoms as stated, after I get back home for engine flushing it starts first time (45 minutes from ramp).

I didn't check compression assuming that it has good compression since it starts easy cold and runs like a beast.
I guess another idea is that the ignition system is weak when hot if that could be a cause but this is what I think
>
When Hot-After cranking and spraying gumout on/around carb, it starts eventually and I put it in fast neutral which seems to clear it out then put it back to idle and it idles perfect. To me that sounds like it had excess fuel that had to be burned up.
>

There is probably a larger number of other possible causes for this but we'll see if this needle/float adjustment works.
Any other ideas please add and thank you

 

[acalabro]

Re: '89-90 50 HP Acting Up

So after I cleaned cleaned the carb for the most part and replaced inlet needle which appeared worn. I no longer experience the problem, thank you all for the help and advice