1989 Evinrude 60 hp idles fine but lacks power

My Evinrude 60 hp starts and idles great, but will not rev up under load. It will go to full power if I press in and out on the key primer. I have checked the fuel pump and have taken the carbs completely apart and cleaned them. It did not help. I've tried squeezing the fuel bulb while at full throttle with no improvement. I have checked the spark plugs, they looked fine. I have even taken the air breather cover off so that I could see into the carb intakes while at full throttle. It looks like they are pulling plenty of fuel.<br /> The symptoms point to a fuel problem, but I have checked everything I could think of in the fuel system with no improvement.<br /> The engine ran fine when I put it away for the winter, but has had this problem since I put it in the water this year.

Re: 1989 Evinrude 60 hp idles fine but lacks power

I would look for an air leak on the suction side of the fuel pump or a problem with the pump itself. You right ... it is running lean and the result of pressing the primer confirms that. You need to check all the way from the tank pickup screen to the motor. A way of narrowing the search would be to see what happens if you connect a different tank (with a different hose assembly). If you get the same result, the problem is at the motor.

Re: 1989 Evinrude 60 hp idles fine but lacks power

Or could there be a problem with the throttle lever, cable......? Just a thought...John B

Re: 1989 Evinrude 60 hp idles fine but lacks power

I took apart my 60 hp 1980 evinrude fule pump and there was a screen that traped some particles like a filter that could need cleaning. But a word of caution when taking apart your fuel pump it has parts inside that will fall out easy. But I don't know how your pump is because the difference in the motor year.