1969 Evinrude 85 loss of Power and Reverse

bkain · #1 July 19th, 2007, 01:43 PM

New to me Outboard ran great till I changed Lower Unit Fluid. Now Reverse is random and top speed is 20 kph. Down from a top end of 35-40 kph. I am a complete novice and any help in this regard would be very much appreciated. Could I have used wrong o/b oil is it a case of flooding??? My 7 and 8 year old boys and I are anxious to play but don't have the power. Help!!!

flexxxycj · #2 July 19th, 2007, 02:08 PM

well from a novice to a novcie ... my engine is a 69 55hp .. if it is the same hydro-electric setup as mine, you MUST use a lower end oil usually only available at boating shops called Premium blend, also called type C oil ... its about as thin as transmssion fluid.... your shifting works off of a hydrolic system using this oil ... the electric part cames from the solunoid ... The speed thing I dont know about, but it could be related .... Todd

mikesea · #3 July 19th, 2007, 02:10 PM

if you have electric shift,you may have put the wrong oil in if you put the common oil used these days,does the control box say selectric shift or the like,does it have one cable that comes out and a big wiring harness,if its 2 small cables and a big wire harness then its likly not selectric,but based on the yr,and your symptoms,I think you got wrong oil,hopefully an old timer will be able to steer you better,or try calling a omc dealer in the meanwhile

flexxxycj · #4 July 19th, 2007, 02:23 PM

but ... selectric and hydoelectric r not the same thing ....

bkain · #5 July 19th, 2007, 03:45 PM

Thank you for your response!!! My motor has a Selectric transmission or throttle control. I really appreciate you all taking the time.

bkain · #6 July 19th, 2007, 03:48 PM

Thanks Todd,