1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

Someone please help. I have an Evinrude 140 hp V4 that just won't wake up in the morning any more. I've had this motor for about 10 years and have had no problems until now. It just won't start in the morning. It initial started being difficult on cold mornings but would start. And if I started it the night before, it would stat fine the next morning. It's gotten worse over time. I've changed the power pack, rectifier and kill switch. All I thought could be impacted by moisture. No change. By the way, once it hits... It will crank all day long and runs great. Yesterday, I tried to crank it in the middle of the day, about 65 degrees. It cranked right up. This morning, early (6:30 am, temp at 40), it wouldn't hit a lick. Check the fire with spark plug tester, I had fire on all 4 cylinders. I changed the plugs with new ones, no change. After the temp got up to around 50 and the sun warmed the motor (10am) it hit, fired up and cranks at the touch of the key. What in the world could not allow the motor to crank until the environment warms up.

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

Keep in mind the kind of weather such motors are primarily used in. Gasoline vaporizes much more easily at warmer temperatures. Especially gasolines formulated for the summer. Many localities require a winter grade of gasoline. Are you using fresh gas, or last summer's?

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

I don't think your problem is temp related,unless you run the motor every few hours thru the night.If it sits 6 hours,it is just as cold as 12 or more hours of sitting.

I would at least renew the primer bulb and the fuel tank anti-syphon valve.And make sure you squeeze the primer bulb hard before trying to start.There are also boats that never had a primer bulb before (I don't know why they rig this way). But need them later in life.

Another thought is ...... some V6's need a second squeezing of the bulb after the initial crank for them to keep running.Maybe your V4 will benifit from this.Your pistons just can't pull the fuel into the crankcase like they did 20 years ago.

DHP

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

I have the same motor. The primer solenoid assembly may not be functioning properly. Also, make sure that the hoses leading from it to the carburetors are in good shape.

Don't forget that you have QuikStart and that it advances the timing when the temperature wiring is correct. If you replaced the powerpack, be sure to follow the wiring instructions in your service manual to the letter.

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

WillyBWright said:

Keep in mind the kind of weather such motors are primarily used in. Gasoline vaporizes much more easily at warmer temperatures. Especially gasolines formulated for the summer. Many localities require a winter grade of gasoline. Are you using fresh gas, or last summer's?

Click to expand...

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

DHPMARINE said:

I don't think your problem is temp related,unless you run the motor every few hours thru the night.If it sits 6 hours,it is just as cold as 12 or more hours of sitting.

I would at least renew the primer bulb and the fuel tank anti-syphon valve.And make sure you squeeze the primer bulb hard before trying to start.There are also boats that never had a primer bulb before (I don't know why they rig this way). But need them later in life.

Another thought is ...... some V6's need a second squeezing of the bulb after the initial crank for them to keep running.Maybe your V4 will benifit from this.Your pistons just can't pull the fuel into the crankcase like they did 20 years ago.

DHP

Click to expand...

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

It has been a few years since I've replaced the fuel lines. I'll try that. Thanks for the responses. I'll also look at the primer solenoid. I've been thinking it was fire. It may very well be fuel.

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

ezeke said:

I have the same motor. The primer solenoid assembly may not be functioning properly. Also, make sure that the hoses leading from it to the carburetors are in good shape.

Don't forget that you have QuikStart and that it advances the timing when the temperature wiring is correct. If you replaced the powerpack, be sure to follow the wiring instructions in your service manual to the letter.

Click to expand...

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

ezeke, I'm assuming that the primer solenoid is the thing that clicks when I push in on the key. Is there another name for it? I'm having trouble finding one online that looks like mine. The one on my engine has a red cut off or by-pass lever. What does that do? Is it a manual prime?

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

The primer solenoid diverts some fuel from the fuel pump and injects it directly into the engine to provide a quick source of extra fuel needed for cold starts.

The choke used to do that by shutting off the air and causing the full force of the pistons' upstrokes to pull more gas into the engine.

As I understand it, the red lever either has the pump open [manual], allowing the extra fuel to flow whenever the engine is running, or run, operated by the ignition switch and solenoid by pushing in the key.

With the Quikstart operating and the extra fuel provided by the primer solenoid, the 1988 loopers are usually easy to start when cold.

If those are not the problem, you would next want to be sure that the recirculation check valves are functioning properly.

Edit: to clarify, my primer is connected directly to the fuel manifold on the engine side of the VRO pump. Therefore, in the manual position, the fuel continues to be pumped to and through it whenever the motor is running, unless you turn it back to the run position.

The point is that the pumps do go bad, and can and do malfunction. The solenoid can still function while the primer itself does not, so the fact that you hear it click is not proof of proper function.

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

With the red lever set to the MANUAL position, squeezing the primer bulb allows fuel to pass through the primer solenoid and into the engine. That position is used should you have a dead battery and need to rope start the engine or if the solenoid itself is not working. In the RUN position, the extra fuel will only pass through the solenoid when the key is pressed. Start the engine and using an insulated pliers, pull one plug wire at a time. Each time you do that the engine should die or at least slow down. If it doesn't, that cylinder is not firing.

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

ezeke,

Did we have Quickstart back in '88 ? I thought we were just getting used to S.L.O.W .At any rate,I still think ricky d 's fuel is syphoning back to the tank,and the carbs are starving.Time not temp involved.

By the way,Cape cod was my 'stomping ground' in the late '60's.Where abouts are you.

DHP (missing those Woodstock Days)

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

I live in Orleans, DHP. I came here 32 years ago for a rest and vacation, and just never left.

QuikStart was in the all the OMC 1988 recreational loopers as far as I have been able to determine. You can check for it with a timing light. It advances whenever the Engine is less than 96º F or 32º C and the RPM are less than 1100.

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

i agree with ezeke,

quickstart and primes should make coldstarts easy.

something gradualy went bad with the motor.
quickstart advances the timing so it either works or doesnt work.
it could be that it is not working because of a bad temp sensor so the cdi unit(powerpack) thinks your motor is at operating temperature.
probbebly not the case but a possibility not to rule out.

most likely is that when your engine is freezing cold the fuel that is being sucked in (carbs) and sprayed in (primer), wit not atomize in small litle droplets wich will turn into fuel vapor and than combust , but the fuel wil condensate onto the cold metal surface inside the engine. This is normal.
thats the reason you have to get more fuel into the engine to get the 14.7 : 1 air/fuel ratio inside the combustion chamber for a cold start.
the primer gives you this extra fuel.

so i would check out the primer solenoid and the fuel lines first.

when the motor starts does quickstart function?
can you tell the difference when the motor is warm it idles down?
little smoother?

when its real cold take the airbox of and spray some 50:1 fuelmix into the carbs trought with a plant sprayer, and try to start it then.
see what happens. it should start right up.
give us all the info you can think about.

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

not to forget how is your battery doing?

Re: 1988 Evinrude 140hp hard cold start

It was the primer solenoid. I was able to disassemble the part and clean it. I didn't see anything clogging it. But the tips are so small that anything's possible. I was able to make it work without changing anything. I went fishing last weekend. The motor ran like it used to. Thanks a bunch.