1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

[randyskier]

I have a 1984 Evinrude 140 OB ran great for many years. Last year wouldnt start, took it in compression was gone. One place wanted $3,500 for rebuild. Found a guy who owns auto repair and has mechanic who worked on outboards for 15 years. VRO was removed and I am pre-mixing. Problem is I have NO power under a load, it wont pull a slalom skier, or two people on two skis. I suspect something electronically needs dealt with since the VRO is gone. It feels like the RPM is being limited by something kicking in. I seem to recall 10 years ago when I had a leak in the oil line, something limited RPMs and it ran poorly. HELP, do I need to disconnect something to correct whats going on?

I took it back a week ago, and this guy claimed he fixed it. He said the synchronizer with the throttle and shift were out of adjustment. Tried pulling a skier last night, and nada. Wimpy as hell. Oddly with four people in boat it will struggle a bit but get up on plane. It will reach 40 MPH but back when it would hit 50 MPH no problem.


Please help if you can. I am ready to take it somewhere but think there is a simple fix he overlooked. Thanks

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Lot of possibilities going on. Starting with the hull itself. Could be full of water soaked foam and adding hundreds of pounds to your load.
You say that "compression was gone" ?? did it get fixed ?? and what is compression now ??
To begin with you really need to give the motor a basic healthy check.

Compression
Spark (with a spark tester)
Fuel delivery to carbs and pump output
Spark plug condition

Post results and go from there.
I have the same motor.
Welcome to iboats

 

[randyskier]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

NO problems with hull. With 4 people in boat it is "OK" but sluggish. Trying to pull a skier it bogs down seriously. Its like something kicks in limiting the performance. Havent checked compression, but dont think it has anything to do with it. With just me in the boat in runs decent, but top speed isnt there. A load just kills it.

 

[randyskier]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Yes motor was rebuilt, new plugs idles fine starts super. Just no power under a load.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Check current compression.
Post results

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

What's the model number of your motor?

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

It feels like the RPM is being limited by something kicking in. I seem to recall 10 years ago when I had a leak in the oil line, something limited RPMs and it ran poorly.?

are you actually seeing lower or atypical RPMs on the tach as you go from from idle to WOT?

 

[randyskier]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Model is TLCR taken to shop, carb rebuilt.......... still has "issues" runs OK, but under load wont perform. Oddly if you tap the electric choke while its acting up it snaps out of it. Supposedly a eninrude "guru" is coming to look at it tonight. Guy at shop now is perplexed, had to step back and scratch head. Anybody? compression is great, carbs rebuilt, fuel is over 5 p.s.i. from VRO pump, gettting frustrated here.

 

[gsyfishy]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Who did the carb rebuild? there are high speed and low speed jets, if the high speed jets are wrong, or clogged, gummed, whatever. If you can bump the choke, you have a fuel issue, could be as simple as the system not venting properly.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

You don't have a "choke", but a primer solenoid that bypasses the carburetors and injects fuel directly into the intake manifold.

If using that speeds up the engine, it indicates that you are running lean, which is a very bad condition for a crossflow motor.

I would strongly recommend that you examine your carburetors yourself and assure that you have the correct jets in the right places and that the carburetors are thoroughly cleaned.

 

[randyskier]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Carbs were cleaned, no unreasonable build up was found. Jets are in correct place. Like I said, if it were just me in the boat it runs OK and is only about 5-6 miles off top speed. With 5 people or pulling a skier, it won't perform. Must be a fuel issue of sorts. Local marine dealer looked at it, he's stumped, mechanic who is working on it is puzzled, local guy known as Evinrude "guru" I am waiting for him to look at it.

My mechanic is possibly suspecting something with the reeds, but I don't give that much creedence, if tapping the key "choke" or whatever it is stops the hiccup going on. Could any reed abnormality be to blame from symptoms? Trust me when its found (I hope soon) I will post the solution. Its irritating me, would like to have boat for weekend. Only bright spot, still have waverunner III that will pull a skier, I have pulled three kids on two skis with it before at the same time.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Did you check your current compression yet ???

 

[chevinrude]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

be sure to open up your fuel vent..... might not be getting enough fuel. In turn you will run a little lean as mentioned earlier.

 

[randyskier]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Compression is great 120+ on all four........ vents CHECK,

 

[wilde1j]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Reeds are not the cause of what you've described. Motor is running too lean if hitting the primer improves running. As Ezeke pointed out, lean is a very bad condition to allow to persist.

Were carbs cleaned by soaking disassembled carbs overnight in a good carb cleaner and cleaning all passageways. then blowing dry with compressed air?

 

[randyskier]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Gentlemen........... here it is the problem has been found. Believe it or not, the shop who rebuilt the engine put ALL FOUR pistons in backward. Yep, the cross-flow pistons have the deflector which directs the air fuel mixture toward the combustion chamber. The opposite side of the piston is designed to assist in removal of spent gas after combustion. The local Evinrude "guru" after hearing the symptoms made a guess after hearing the story. He has seen this happen once before. SO, rebuild is on again, this time by somebody who knows their proper piston installation in mind.


I had a friendly chat with the credit card folks, I recalled I paid for the rebuild on my credit card. Monday morning the shop who built it will have the day start of ****ty, if he refuses a refund, credit card company will go to bat for me. I have proof of improper rebuild by certified Evinrude mechanic. thanks to all who chimed in, now you have a new thing to suspect when things "smell funny" on a fresh rebuild with no power under a load.

Happy Fathers Day to all those Fathers !

 

[chevinrude]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

glad you figured out the problem! Happy and safe boating!!

Cheers!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1985 140 Evinrude VRO removed...HELP

Wow !!! glad you found the problem. Hope all goes well with the refund.