1986 70 hp Evinrude starting troubles...

I've had my 70 hp out twice this year since taking the boat out of storage. The first time out it ran fine. This past weekend, it turned over for 3-5 seconds and then stopped. When we tried to start it again, the starter would engage, but would not turn the motor over. I could not turn the motor over with the manual pull cord either. Also, the prop was very hard to turn by hand. After checking over the upper half of the unit, I figured it was a lower unit problem. I drained the lower unit, and refilled it (no metal or water in the drained fluid). The prop can be turned by hand now, and the motor can be turned over, but does stick/locks up at one point. It can be pulled past this sticking point with the pull cord, but it takes some force. I do not want to start/run the motor until I get this resolved. Can anyone comment on what may be causing this, and what steps I need to take to fix this? I ordered a new repair manual but won't have it for a day or two yet.

Re: 1986 70 hp Evinrude starting troubles...

You obviously have something binding. Remove the lower unit. Now, remove the spark plugs. You can now determine if the binding pertains to the powerhead or the lower unit.

Re: 1986 70 hp Evinrude starting troubles...

thanks Joe, I will give that a try once I get my manual.

Re: 1986 70 hp Evinrude starting troubles...

I've removed the lower unit, and it is the problem. My repair manual calls for 2 special OMC tools to take the lower unit apart. I have not chaecked into the cost, of the tools, so I am not sure what they cost, or what a lower unit rebuild at a shop would cost me. So does anyone know is it worth me buying these tools and doing the work myself, or would it be cheaper for me to take it to a shop and have the lower unit gone through?

thanks