Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

Hey guys,

Looking for a little help. I just picked up a 69 silverline with a 72 evinrude 85hp engine. The guy I got it from had it sitting in his garage unused for 26 years so I'm working on getting it going for myself.

I got a new battery and the electric choke works, some of the lights work, but the engine won't crank over. I did get a manual and was working through the troubleshooting for the starting system.
-The solenoid doesn't click or anything when I turn the key to the start position.
- I'm getting 12v through the solenoid on the big posts with the key in the off position. I'm thinking that this isn't right, and that the solenoid could be stuck and possibly burned or corroded itself?
-Is there any way to bypass the solenoid to make sure the starter is operational?

Any help will be appreciated!!

Re: Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

If you are measuring voltage across the large post of the solenoid, you SHOULD be getting 12v with the ignition off. With the starter engaged you would get near zero volts reading. You are reading voltage difference between the two points. The solenoid is a switch. If it is not clicking or engaging the starter you might have the throttle advanced too far when trying to start the engine. This causes the safety switch to cut the ground to the primary circuit of the solenoid. Ease back on the throttle until the starter works.

Re: Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

I had the throttle in the start position and the knob on the engine looked to be in the start position.

Re: Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

I have a control exactly like yours. The start position on the helm control is not very accurate. The start position merely advances the throttle a little which makes the engine easier to start. The safety switch (located just behind tthe throttle arm pivot on the engine) prevents you from starting the engine at too high rpm.

When I start mine I put the helm control lever to the start position, hold the choke toggle on the helm, and turn the key. If the starter does NOT turn the motor, I just back off on the throttle a bit until it DOES turn. Try that and post back your results.

BTW you know to never start the motor without water running through it ....... right?

Re: Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

That worked. Moved the throttle back a little and it cranked right over.

I did run water through it when it was running. It looks like it exhausts through the hub, but where does the cooling water come out of the engine? Im use to seeing a jet coming out of somewhere, but didn't see anything coming out of it.

Re: Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

The overboard telltale did not come out until the 1978 models. On your engine, when you first start it each day, you will get a little water misting out of the two exhaust relief ports at the top rear of the midsection. After about a minute-when the thermostat opens. If you hold you hand back there, water droplets should form on your palm when the thermostat opens.

Re: Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

Ok, that's exactly what happened. Just don't want to burn this thing up right away now that its running again.

Re: Help getting a 1972 Evinrude 85 going again.

A laser temp gun is handy for checking the real temps on the cyl heads. On the flip side, it would be good to know the engine is not running cold (thermostat stuck open.) You may be able to borrow one or rent on cheaply from any auto parts store.