My 1989 Evinrude 70 hp wont start! Help...

[Plibithman]

I have a 70 hp 1989 evinrude outboard motor that sometimes wont start when on the water. If the motor is cold and hasnt been started in a while, it starts up just fine, but as we use it more and more in a day, it gets progressively harder to start. Whenever we try and start the motor, if we dont put the motor in neutral and rev it hard when turning the ignition, it usually wont start. And if we dont start it the first time we turn the ignition, it gets harder and harder to start as we try. It has left us stranded in a harbor with only an oar several times!

We have replaced the spark plugs, the fuel filter twice, changed the impeller, put some carb degunker fluid in with the gas, changed the oil and checked the battery power to no avail. One thing that needs to be mentioned is that the fuel filter that we have on there is slightly longer (but not wider) than the fuel filter that came on it when we bought it used. The local stores are sold out of the original model, and the salesman told us to buy a similar model (with almost the exact same part #) and he said it wouldnt matter. Another thing that should be mentioned is that the guy we bought the outboard off of hadnt used the motor in 6 years prior and had kept it outdoors in a storage lot. We did siphon out the old gas before we started it up.

Thanks!

 

[jtexas]

Re: My 1989 Evinrude 70 hp wont start! Help...

welcome to iboats!

Motor sat up for 6 years is going to need a carb rebuild, no question about it, you can't clean the carbs without taking 'em apart & soaking 'em overnight.

You said "if we dont put the motor in neutral" - it's not supposed to start unless its in neutral - if the motor will turn over while it's in gear, then your neutral safety switch is broke and needs to be fixed - it's a seriously dangerous condition.

 

[goboatnow]

Re: My 1989 Evinrude 70 hp wont start! Help...

Yeah i agree with texas....carbs need to be rebuilt. Sounds to me like the needles are worn also allowing more fuel into the intake after you shut to motor down making it flooded and hard to start. Good luck

 

[Plibithman]

Re: My 1989 Evinrude 70 hp wont start! Help...

Thank you jtexas for your help. We will take the carbs out and clean them as best we can and see if that helps. As for the motor in neutral thing, I phrased that badly earlier. Our motor will not start unless in neutral, everything is fine, we always start it in neutral. However, to get the motor started when it wont turn over, we usually have to put the throttle in the neutral position that allows you to rev, and then start the motor, and that will sometimes help, but not always.

 

[mkochheiser]

Re: My 1989 Evinrude 70 hp wont start! Help...

I am experiencing this exact same problem with my 70hp Evinrude. It has left me and my family stranded many times as well.

I am curious if rebuiding/cleaning the carborator did solve Plibithman's problem?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

Frustrated!!:
Mkochheiser from Ohio

 

[freetime99]

Re: My 1989 Evinrude 70 hp wont start! Help...

I also have that problem ( see my recent post on 99 Johnson 60 hp wont restaert after running ). My 3cyl 60 hp is basically a detuned 70hp. It cranks great when cold, I can run it all day if I want to - no problems. But after I shut it off, its got to wait a good 25 -30minutes before it will re-crank. In the interim, there is no spark at any of the 3 cyl., it's as if the power pack isnt responding until a 25+ minute shut down period. I've even changed out the powerpack, did not change the outcome. It's been doing this ever since the motor was purchased new in 2001.