1988 8 horse evinrude

hi i'm kinda new to this boat stuff....i just recently bought a 88 evinrude motor....it can start with just one pull and everything works and looks fine to me...water pump is in working order....but the problem is that when i took it out to the lake it won't rev up....the fastest it goes is like 2 mph...please help me thank you....

Re: 1988 8 horse evinrude

Howdy, sonic,

Welcome to iboats.

My guess is a dead cylinder, sonic. Could also be linkage not opening the throttle.

Re: 1988 8 horse evinrude

Also check the top of the carb, it's plastic and prone to breaking, there is a plastic roller that is attached to it and on mine the corner of the carb top where the roller attaches to it snapped off leaving the roller dangling.

Re: 1988 8 horse evinrude

My guess is a dead cylinder, sonic. Could also be linkage not opening the throttle.

its most likely a bad plug or coil, with that being said, take the cowl off, turn the throttle, have a look at everything that moves when you twist it. post back with what you see. (a close friend of mine sold his ....7 or 8 hp nissan, mid 2000's. this motor had very little use, on the back of an ARGO amphibious rig.......maybe 10 hrs. he tried to start it in a barrel after sitting all winter.....it would start and idle....but stall if you moved the throttle, he sold it for $200.00!!!........the buyer took it home, had a look, and removed the mouse nest from the air intake......motor worked fine.
only told that story because , sometimes its things that arent so common that can cause problems.......and i wish i could have gotten that steal! )

Re: 1988 8 horse evinrude

where did you pick this motor up? there was one not far from where i live sitting at the end of a driveway for a week for sale......could it be the same one? (not likely....but maybe!)