1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

[scottybk]

Have a 1971 Lightwin 4 hp that I ran for the first time on the water today on my 12' jon boat. Two issues, which I'll describe in laymen's terms:

1.) The recoil starter does not "recoil" - you have to use your fingers each time to re-"notch" the recoil gear on the moving arm (by this I mean the vertical gear on the "arm" that moves fwd. and back when you pull the rope) into the horizontal flywheel gear, so that pulling the rope will rotate the flywheel. Anyone know which springs need replacement? Or is there another "fix" for this? It's a real pain to have to push the 2 gears together every time before you pull the rope. I've also heard these recoils are a nightmare to work on.

2.) Even when fully warmed up, this thing will not re-start without starting fluid (and even then it's difficult- like over a dozen pulls). I've replaced the points, condensers, plugs, coils and gapped everything properly. Think it could need a carb kit? Or maybe a nice heavy dose of card cleaner while running wide open? It's even worse starting it cold, even on choke and with good spray of starting fluid. How to fix this hard starting?

Other than that, this little thing works GREAT once it's humming along. Pretty decent power for a small boat and very little fuel consumption. Once running it is pretty responsive and a lot of fun to play around on the water with.

Of course, already hit a rock and broke the shear pin (with no spare, of course) so it was a nice long float downriver to the boat ramp LOL. I've heard welding rod trimmed to size makes handy shear pins for about a nickel a copy

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

ok for anyone that reads this in the future
DO NOT USE STARTING FLUID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it should be called blow your engine up in a heartbeat fluid ... save it for the diesel engines and even then its not ok for long dont use carb cleaner EITHER both strip the film of oil off the cylinders and bearings and you then have metal to metal contact inside your engine which is VERY bad

you deffinitely need a carb kit make sure you tear it down completely soak it overnight in carb dip blow it out with compressed air and put it back together

 

[jgriner]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

im no mechanic but ive always hear, dont use starter fluid on 2 cycle engines as it removes oil from cylinders. always seen premix in a squirt bottle suggested!!!



------- levi_tsk types faster than me ---------

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

1.) It sounds like the recoil spring is broken. Item #4 below.
http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop/js...CatFilter=BRP&eCatSupFldr=supplier-100-005-EJ
2.) First, do not use starting fluid on your engine, no lube in starting fluid. It sounds like you are in need of a carb rebuild, make sure to remove both the high and low speed jets and clean the passages. Remove the core plug #6, on top of the carb and clean the passages underneith.
http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop/js...nown&isFrPG=false&forItemCode=&pCode=C0229721
Get the correct drive pin for your engine, they are worth the money, it probably would be a good idea to carry an extra cotter pin also. The OEM drive pin and cotter pin are a type of stainless steel, will not rust.

 

[scottybk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

Thanks, I didn't know that starting fluid was a no-no for 2 stokes.

I will try the carb kit and soak the jets. One other question: there is a threaded, rotating adjustment knob called "high speed" and above that a "lean/rich" knob (which has the plastic knob broken off, but can be moved with the housing off w/ pliers. What exactly do these adjustments do? Are you supposed to get these "set" where it runs good and leave them alone?

Sorry if these questions are stupid, but I'm new to two-strokes and boat motors in general. Thanks again, Scott.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

The lower one is the high speed jet, and the lower is the low speed jet. Static settings are, low speed 1 1/4 turn out from lightly seated, high speed 3/4 turn out from lightly seated. Fine tune after the engine is in the water. Once they are set you shouldn't have to mess with them again.

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

For a temporary fix you can use WD40 and spray it generously into the spring housing of the recoil. Many times they get too gunked up to function. In the long run it should be dismantled, cleaned and re-greased. For that and a whole lot of other repair procedures you really should get yourself an original OMC service manual. Either Johnson or Evinrude will serve you fine. Just make sure it is for the 1971 model year. They normally get them on Ebay. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

yeah dont be afraid of a used one either most are like new condition

 

[scottybk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

Thanks so much for the tips! One other thing- I decided to drain & replace the oil in the lower unit after my "maiden voyage" today, and the oil in their was like tan snot (not too badly milk-shaked, but def. water leaking in somewhere).

Is it worth opening a can of worms to try and replace the seals/gaskets, or should I just change the oil every trip? My buddy says prying all those housings apart is a huge pain and since this thing is so old if you break/crack anything it's game over. He says just change it every couple trips (since it takes so little oil anyway) and it'll be fine. What do you guys think? any ideas where the leak could be?

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

nah on those its not that bad youll needa shift shaft bushing tool but other than that theyre pretty straight forward and a seal kit is only about 20 bux youll also need a tube of 3M #847 sealer for it-if you want it i have a prop shaft seal i ordered by mistake ... it wont work on my 56's think i have a gear case oring and some spagetti seal too ... -maybe even a shift shaft seal - its all oem from BRP(OMC) so its good stuff

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

First thing I would do is replace the oil and install new nylon washers behind the fill and vent plugs. Many times the water leak is from those washers leaking. The washers are cheap and should be replaced every time you take the screws out. Rick.

 

[scottybk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

Anyone know where I could find a PDF scan of the original shop manual online?

thanks

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

probably not ... however i saw several manuals for one on ebay the other day ..... they were gently used and only about 20 bux

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

No such thing, at least that I have ever found. You would be better off to get the factory manual.

 

[raczekp1]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

i doubt if sprimg is broken.
put new nylon washers(3 exist in this type recoil),clean spring, check starter gear(smal one ifits not worm).
sometimes its good to make longer thread in anchor bolt-i did this in repair shop, they remove 3mm metal from anchor bolt

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

No such thing, at least that I have ever found. You would be better off to get the factory manual.

the ones i was talking about were factory ones

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

You can google Ken Cook, he has factory reprints, or try e-bay, sometimes they have them. You need to use your model number to make sure you get the correct manual.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

youve got mail scotty

 

[scottybk]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

Question re: spark plug wires- do these come as a complete unit with the boots that fit on the plug, etc? When I look at the diagrams on the parts websites everything seems to be sold sperately, and some things are obsolete/NLA?

Anyone recommend a place to get wires as a complete unit with all the connectors, boots etc? I really don't want to play electrican piecing this stuff together!

My wires look somewhat frayed and dry rotted (insulation wearing off, etc). Could this contribute to the difficult starting?

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1971 Evinrude Lightwin- Starting issue, and recoil sticking

You can get the parts at any BRP dealer. It is not beyond your ability to put the boots on and the other ent stabs into a pin post on the coils. Seems to me you need about six feet of carbon core wire. If they are allowing spark to ground it could be difficult to impossible to start or keep running for that matter. Best way to check is start it up in the dark of night and it's much easier to see. Put some thick gloves on and wiggle the wires a bit being careful not to make contact with the flywheel. Best of luck. Rick.