Freeing up a locked up motor?

[Mick UK]

Hi Everyone

I have a question about how to free up a motor that is locked up after standing for 5 years(!) It?s a 4hp motor, the model No is E4BRCTA and the serial No B016028 ? I think that makes it an ?83?

I?m almost certain that it?s locked up due to lack of use because it looks to be in really good nick, almost like it?s hardly been used.

I have so far taken the cover off and tried to turn the flywheel, and sprayed a good amount of WD40 down the plug holes. I have left it lying in there for a good 24 hours but she?s still stuck solid. Does anyone know the best method to turn the crank without doing any damage? I was also thinking of applying some heat (by shooting a blowtorch flame down the bores) in an attempt to break the seal (or remove my eyebrows whichever happens first ) ? would that help?

Any ideas, tips, suggestions etc would be really appreciated.

All the best

Mick

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Welcome to Iboats.

I had a 1959 5.5hp Johnson that was locked up from sitting when I purchased it.

I took and loaded the plug holes down for 3 days to a week, keep it loaded each day. I kept bumping the flywheel with a wrench on the flywheel nut, not forcing it. I removed the head of the motor and took a wooden dowl and a hammer then just tapped the top of the pistons, I also did this before removing the head. I finally took a portable air tank and an air tool quick release fitting and I screwed the fitting right down in the spark plug hole (like it was made for it). I loaded the cylinders up with liquid wrench and wd40 and hooked the portable air tank up to one cylinder over night. This helps push the lube down past the rings. I stepped out the next morning and the air tank was showing 0 on the gauge, I started out with 120psi or so. I hooked the air hose up to the other cylinder for a while and did the same thing.

I had the flywheel placed in a vice, after letting the air push the lube, I took a rubber mallet and bumped the power head both ways until it started moving.

Once I got the motor freed up I did a compression check and got 85 pounds of compression on each cylinder which is pretty good for that little motor. I got the motor running like a top turned around and sold it.

PS. I also added fuel and oil mixed down the plug holes along with the liquid wrench and wd40. At one point I added some of that lube that comes in the orange and white can (can't remember the name of it).

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

PB Blaster is a very good penetrative.
Marvel Mystery Oil is another.
Coke also eats rust, not Pepsi, the carbolic acid, only use this as an absolute last resort.

Place the motor such that the spark plugs are straight up and add an tablespoon or so and let it soak.

Gently wiggle/turn the flywheel back and forth every day. One day you wil notice a small increase in the rotation, go slowly and DO NOT FORCE it, you could break a ring or a ring land in a piston.

I DO NOT recommend smacking a flywheel with anything!!!!!

You might remove the lower unit, it is possible that the lower is frozen and nothing is wrong with the motor.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Yet another method is make a grease fitting for the spark plug holes. (takes some machining) You can then pressurize a piston near tdc with grease.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

I DO NOT recommend smacking a flywheel with anything!!!!!

Who recommended smacking the flywheel???? If you are reffering to the method I used, I had the flywheel in the vice with a rag and I gently bumped the power head with a rubber mallet (not smacked). Plus I had the wrench on the flywheel nut and I moved the flywheel back and forth by bumping the wrench by hand both ways.

Yes moving the flywheel back and forth should help out.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

I've saved two motors that were "siezed". One was a 1973 Johnson 6HP that I was told came out of a flooded basement so I figured it was rusted cylinders and used the penetrating lubricant method and over several months it finally loosened up. The other motor was a 1959 Johnson 35HP that the previous owner told me "just stopped one day on the lake". Fearing the worst case like no oil in the gas, I took it completely apart and rebuilt it. The problem was bad connecting rod bearings. You just have to look for the obvious issues and try to work through them. Get a manual. Good luck!

 

[Mick UK]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Hi guys

Thank you to everyone for a great response! Much appreciated...I will keep going with the WD40 as I don't think the other products you recommended are available here in the UK but I will persevere as I reckon any penetrating oil will do the trick eventually.

I only wish I were clever enough to apply some of the other techniques especially the ones where air/grease is forced down the cylinders - that would be a really effective method but how do you rig up the air compressor line to screw into the plug holes??? I don't have machining facilities unfortunately so the grease thing is out, but that must work a treat as well.

Sounds as though they are usually rescueable though with a bit of perseverance so that's good to hear!

One last question; I don't have a manual at present but if I wanted to strip the foot down is it just a question of unbolting it all or do you need special tools/techniques?

Thanks again for your help

Mick

 

[patrickray]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Just my two cents. Mabey the lower unit is froze

 

[iwombat]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

"I only wish I were clever enough to apply some of the other techniques especially the ones where air/grease is forced down the cylinders - that would be a really effective method but how do you rig up the air compressor line to screw into the plug holes??? I don't have machining facilities unfortunately so the grease thing is out, but that must work a treat as well."


You could probably use the fittings off of a compression tester to do either the grease or air technique.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Here is an example of the quick release and fitting I was talking about. I used pipe tape on the quick release fitting then screwed it down into the spark plug hole. This quick release fitting shown in the picture (in my hand) is not the exact same fitting that I used but it might be the same size.

I imagine you could use a compression tester fitting to apply air, it is nearly the same fitting as shown in the picture.

 

[Theoutdoorsman]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

You could probably use the fittings off of a compression tester to do either the grease or air technique.

My thoughts exactly Iwombat. Very interesting thread. Not sure I'd be pouring coke down my plug holes anytime soon though.......LOL.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

BTW the grease/air technique will only work on a piston that is above the exhaust/intake ports. I'll let you all figure out why.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

BTW the grease/air technique will only work on a piston that is above the exhaust/intake ports. I'll let you all figure out why.

The one piston was only 1/2 inch from the top or so when I was working on mine. I believe it would leak out all the air and lube if it was below the exhaust/intake ports which then it would be useless in trying the air or grease method unless you had a way to block it off.

 

[Mick UK]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Thanks again guys - loadsa useful info here and thanks for the pic Wild Maninal your a star!

I would be very grateful for any advice about how to check out the lower unit - I can turn the prop in one direction but that's it...

 

[ottoman]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Hey mik,
I would try to find some Marvel mystery oil, i used it to free a diesel motor on a sailbaot that didnt move for 10 years. This stuff is made for what ur doing, let me know il send you some...

 

[TommyA]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Just plain diesel fuel works good. Load the cylinders up and let it soak for a couple of days, then try to move the engine.

 

[Mick UK]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Hey guys

Thanks for your responses - well the good news is that I actually can get Marvel Mystery Oil here in the UK; just because I had never heard of it I assumed you couldn't get it (instead of Googling it like I shoulda done in the first place :redface: !)

Anyway I've ordered some now and it's on it's way...After reading all the posts I am getting to thinking that it may just be a problem with the lower unit and would appreciate any pointers you could give me in dealing with a lock up in this part of the motor.

Thanks in advance

Mick

 

[Mick UK]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Hey guys

Thanks for your responses - well the good news is that I actually can get Marvel Mystery Oil here in the UK; just because I had never heard of it I assumed you couldn't get it (instead of Googling it like I shoulda done in the first place :redface: !)

Anyway I've ordered some now and it's on it's way...After reading all the posts I am getting to thinking that it may just be a problem with the lower unit and would appreciate any pointers you could give me in dealing with a lock up in this part of the motor.

Thanks in advance

Mick

Sorry shoulda been paying more attention - what I thought was a supplier of the MMO was in fact a guy on ebay selling a vintage can as a sort of collectible item - which brings me back to square 1. I have read in a few places that WD40 is not going to be any use in this situation so not sure where to go from here - maybe diesel is the best option as that's readily available...still hoping for some lower unit pointers???

Cheers

Mick

 

[OLDIRON]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Correct,kerosene,or diesel is a good option for you,if indeed it is the power head that is froze.Try removing the lower unit and see if the motor will turn.

 

[mchin]

Re: Freeing up a locked up motor?

Here's another method, soaking the head in maple syrup, yup. It's a tried and true way that has been well publicized in several issues of the antique outboarder magazine. Of course the mess is a hump and a half, but it does work. For me, that would be a last resort, as marvel mystery oil and wd-40 typically work well. I would be careful when trying to free the motor by turning the flywheel, too much force will shear your key and could damage other things as well. Patience is probably your best tool to freeing up this little puppy, I know for me, i typically have the most screw-ups when I am rushing something.

good luck and let us know how it turns out.