New member Evinrude 225 questions

[David Keith]

I have a 1996 Evinrude 225 on a 22'2" Sea Wolf walk around cabin hull. I purchased the rebuilt engine in '99 when I bought the hull. Recently the gear case went out and I had the shop in Venice who had rebuilt the powerhead do the repair. They installed a rebuilt lower unit and I've had 2 problems since: 1)It appears that there is an exhaust leak as a black oily substance is coating the outside of the shaft below the engine hood down to the waterline. It seems that the engine is louder now but I'm not sure because of...2) The engine now runs at much higher RPM's than ever before yet there is no additional speed. Max RPM was 5500 now 6700 or so. Top speed was 40mph@5500 now have same top speed. I'm afraid to run at those RPMs so old cruising speed of 27 mph @ 4200 now takes 5500. I'm using the same prop. <br /><br />Additionally, a new problem arose when the throttle cable broke where it attaches at the engine. A black plastic sleeve broke on the engine side of adjustment knob and the cable slides to and fro unattached. <br /><br />Any ideas? Thank you, DK

 

[Walker]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

The first things that come to my mind are, they left the Exhaust bell out when they installed the L/U, and the new L/U has a lower gear ratio than the old one. You can probably make up the gear difference with a higher pitch prop or more cup in the prop you have.

 

[David Keith]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

Thanks for replying, Walker. I have a good relationship with the shop. Even though I've been nursing this condition for several months he might make it right. He said only one L/U available so it should be right. Are there diff. L/Us with diff gear ratios? Does exhaust bell installation require removing L/U? By the way, leakage from exhaust area seemed to increase when tilting engine up.

 

[Walker]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

Dave, I was just guessing on the gear ratios. If nothing else was altered except a different L/U then there is not much else could cause the higher RPM's. I know a bunch of the V6's from 150 to 225 all take the same L/U. Maybe ratios are different for these different motors.<br /> If they left the exhaust bell out then the L/U will have to be dropped.

 

[93bronco]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

im not an expert but will try to help. there is only one gear ratio listed in the manual for this motor and that is 14:26 (.538). but there are other units with different ratios that could fit that motor. example some 140tx <25in shaft> motors came with the larger V6 housing and having a 12:27 (.44) ratio. and according to the parts manual the upper shaft is the same. just because you got the same housing doesnt mean its the same ratio.<br />with the exaust leak it is possible the exauast housing came out with when removing lower unit and when it was put back in the seal was either left out or installed wrong. or the other is it stayed in place and when housing was put back in it didnt reseal. this is just my thought, i could be wrong. just trying to help

 

[clanton]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

Some of the looper V6s had different length drive shaft, you can force it together with the gearcase bolts, and it will ruin the crank, not sure what year the changes. One of the boating forums show photos of crank. The leak may be at the power head gasket. The 1996 130 has same gearcase as 200/225, different gear set, did not check drive shaft. There is a high alitude gear set for the 130 and 200/225 also, may be more, just did a quick check. Check for loose powerhead, and upper motor mount bolts.

 

[David Keith]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

^

 

[David Keith]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

I'm back on again to restate some concerns. First, should I be concerned about running this OB over 5500 RPM? I was told that that was maximum RPM. Am I stuck with a 27 mph boat? (please see first post) Second, should I attempt to have the lower unit replaced with one that makes everything like "new" again. I put 3300 miles on it before these problems and it worked great. I'm not using it like I did since these problems developed with the new lower unit.<br />Third, and the immediate concern, do I have to replace the entire control box from helm to transom to fix the broken throttle cable or can a repair be done under the cowling that will fix the broken plastic sleeve?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for any help. I'm reluctant to just drop it off at a marina, I've had bad luck locally. DK

 

[clanton]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

If the plastic sleeve on the cable is broken, the cable needs to be replaced. I replace cables in pairs, check/lubricate the control box, and adjust cables at same time. The RPM/ problem may be bad tach, slipping prop hub. Is the engine trim tab water hole clear? I would pull the gear case check the exhaust tube and seal like Walker said. Check the drive shaft for correct length. Check for blown powerhead gasket. Check tach. You ask about running RPMs, I would not run engine , until fixed, you are asking for blown powerhead/gearcase. Gary at 997-9880 on Pondella Road should be able to help you are recommend someone. You could try Capt Ken Crew lives in Cape Coral, phone number in book, has place on Pine Island Road, Seastar, or something like that.<br /><br /> I hope to be in North Ft. Myers late next week,<br />to visit friend on Pondella Road, if you are close by, I will take a quick look at engine.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

The driveshaft splines are the same on the V4 V6 and V8s so they will interchange. If, as suggested, the tach is not off you could very well have a different gear ratio. <br /><br />Clanton - youre gonna be in Ft Myers tne end of next week? Does that mean you arent going to the National Marine Service Expo in Orlando?

 

[clanton]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

Ft Myers could wait. I havent been to a expo, or boat show in a while. I setting up here in Panama City freezing my butt off, I have to go to Dothan Al Sat then back to Crystal River Sunday afternoon. Who has information on the expo in Orlando?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

For more info on the National Marine Service Expo go to: www.am-tech.org/ Then on the left side of the frame, click on the Service Expo. link

 

[David Keith]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

Clanton, thanks for the reply. Good tips and a couple of contacts as well. Sounds like you know the area. Would you try Marine Trading Post in N. Ft. Myers for control cables or is this OMC dealer only? Are you suggesting replace shift cable as well? Are the connections relatively simple to make? Regarding RPM's I don't think prop is slipping. Is there a way to use a portable tach to verify accuracy of rpm's? I can probably get the shop in Venice to warranty the L/U if it's wrong as I told him about it immediately. I should probably verify accurate tach reading first. I'm in the Cape at 800-736-4601 ext 326 or home email keithsinswfl@lycos.com<br />DK

 

[David Keith]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

^

 

[Forktail]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

"should I be concerned about running this OB over 5500 RPM?"<br /><br />Yes. You do not want to exceed the maximum rpm or you can easily damage the outboard.<br /><br />"Am I stuck with a 27 mph boat?"<br /><br />No. Assuming the current prop is not spun (which could cause the rpm increase and slow speed) you need to increase the pitch of the prop 2 or 3 inches by the looks of things. It is possible you did not get your original prop back. If the dealer was aware of a different gear ratio in the lower unit, he may have tried to compensate with a different prop, and obviously was way off. And some gear ratio's simply don't work with a particular outboard's torque and rpm. <br /><br />"Second, should I attempt to have the lower unit replaced with one that makes everything like "new" again."<br /><br />Well, hopefully the unit you just had installed was properly rebuilt. This is fine, even if it has a different gear ratio. You can prop for that. If it was installed improperly, have them re-install it right.<br /><br />"Third, and the immediate concern, do I have to replace the entire control box from helm to transom to fix the broken throttle cable"<br /><br />No need to replace the control box. The cables themselves are inexpensive and easy to replace.<br /><br />Remember this is a 7 year old outboard that has both a rebuilt powerhead and a rebuilt lower end. Anything can go wrong.<br /><br />2K BOAT, I think a 14:26 ratio would be a 1.86 (not .538) and a 12.27 would be a 2.25 (not .44). A difference in ratios like this would obviously explain the problem.

 

[David Keith]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

^<br />Forktail,<br /><br />Great answers, and I appreciate you answering them in an itemized fashion<br /><br />When I bought the OB the prop on old motor only went to 5100 rpm and so we replaced with new stiletto which achieved 5600. Supposed to have same stiletto on there now. The old one is my current spare, I could try there but seems like my difference is more than 400 rpm now. I don't completely understand the science of matching up props to compensate for less than optimum rpm for boat and ob. If this was your boat would you try the repropping angle (certainly cheaper), and would a good prop shop be resonably accurate to suggest a remedy? You state 2-3" pitch increase.<br />Life will be simpler changing the prop but I'm assuming I need to pull lower unit and insert bell housing to prevent exhaust leak. One more word to complement the website that I'll use for the rest of my life, a great forum with unselfish contributers. The "good" part of the internet.<br /><br />DK

 

[clanton]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

I lived in Cape Coral for about 12 years, and if it gets any colder up here, I will be moving back. The cables should just be a standard teleflex cable for OMC. You could mark the flywheel and prop, shift into farward gear, turn flywheel 1 turn and see what prop turns, might tell you something. Then mark prop hub and prop with punch mark, run engine in gear in water 5000 rpms, then remove prop see if prop mark moved. I hope to be going south Thrusday, if I can get away from the doctor.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

Maybe the best thing to do is check the gear ratio. Pull the plugs out and turn the flywheel by hand while someone counts the turns on the propshaft.<br /><br />Lets say we are looking for the stock V6 ratio. To get one complete turn on the propshaft you have to turn the flywheel 1.86 turns then you have the stock ratio of 14:26 or 1.86 to 1. OR if you turn the flywheel one complete turn and the propshaft moves .54 (just over 1/2) turn then its the stock 14:26 or .54 to 1 ratio also. <br /><br />Another way is to have someone turn the flywheel and (mentally) count the turns. The other person will (mentally) count the propshaft turns up to 10 and say stop. When the propshaft has turned 10 times the person counting the flywheel should be at just over 18 and 1/2 turns. Actually 18.6 turns. Thats your 1.86:1 stock ratio. <br /><br />If you get another number that will be the ratio we are working with.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[93bronco]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

thanx for verifying that there are a few ways to figure ratios.<br /><br />forktail: those numbers came out of an official Johnson/evinrude repair manual. thanx again

 

[David Keith]

Re: New member Evinrude 225 questions

Thanks to everyone for the guidance. I'll be looking into these solutions in the next wek or two. I'm popping back to the top in case there's any more ideas.<br /><br />One more question, at one point when I first logged on I was able to search alphabetically but can't find how anymore.<br /><br />^<br />DK