1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

[rattlerbreath]

Hello everyone. This is my first post. I bought a 1975 15' fiberglass with 75hp evinrude. It started easily at the guys house. I brought it home and started again right away with ears on and water. It has a toggle switch under the key that you hold up as you turn the key. I go to the lake. It starts right up, I putt around then shut it off to fish. I try to start it up again and it cranks like crazy, but won't start. I try and try. Then, I use trolling motor to get back to boat ramp. I feel sooo stupid for trusting the guy and buying it without knowing anything about boat motors. He owned it for 15 years as second owner and said he never had any problems. He even offered to tow it to a mechanic to be checked out. What do I do now???????? Thanks in advance.

 

[LongLine]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

Check you controls for a lanyard kill switch & make sure it didn't get pulled out. Then check under the engine cowl for a fuse & make sure it didn't blow. Then check the wires leading from the battery to the key for an inline fuse - make sure it didn't blow. (although the latter may not let it crank)

Then take him up on his offer.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

 

[rattlerbreath]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

Check you controls for a lanyard kill switch & make sure it didn't get pulled out. Then check under the engine cowl for a fuse & make sure it didn't blow. Then check the wires leading from the battery to the key for an inline fuse - make sure it didn't blow. (although the latter may not let it crank)

Then take him up on his offer.

Tom B.
(LongLine)

I will check those things in a coupla hours when it warms up! Because he was so willing to go to the boat shop, I bought the boat anyway. I figured he would balk at the idea if he had something to hide.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

More info will help us rattlerbreath.

So it will still crank now but not fire? If so, first thing I would check is fuel problem. Either flooding or starved for fuel maybe. Next time you try starting and it won't start, pull the spark plugs and see if they are wet or dry. Wet probably means no fuel problem unless it is bad gas. Dry plugs mean fuel starvation.

The toggle switch under the key closes the choke for starting. You have to verify the choke is actually closing TIGHT when the toggle is activated. I believe there also was a service bulletin on those motors too help with choke problems.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=374638&highlight=choke+service+bulletin
Look down towards the end of the post for the actual bulletin.

Also, when you tried restarting it, did you check the fuel primer bulb? If you did was it firm or was it soft and did you try squeezing it again?

I have a 74 115HP that I got last year which i have a very hard time starting when cold. The only way I have ever got it to start when cold is to remove the cover, and air silencer, open the throttle and choke plates, and squirt a gas/oil mix directly into the carbs. I realize there is a problem that needs fixed that is making this necessary, but so far I haven't had time to rebuild/clean carbs and once it is running it does seem to run good.

Let us know anything you can add to your first post and what is going on now.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

Also, don't get discouraged yet or start blaming the P.O.

Sometimes those older motors are just hard to start until you find out just the exact procedure they like to start. I would also ask the P.O. exactly what starting procedure he used? (cold vs hot engine?)

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

If its cranking over, the fuse is fine. Your troubles are elsewhere.

As stated, the problem (no offense) may be with your starting procedure. How long were you fishing for? What steps did you take exactly to start the motor? There are 2 threads you should read in the FAQs regarding cold starting procedures, and 1 for outboard wont start.

 

[rattlerbreath]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

I fished for about one hour. Had run it for 10 minutes to get to that spot. It had started right up cold at home and at POs house. Bulb was firm always. Cranks like crazy but no start. If it was a car, I would say plenty of spark, gas problem. I feel so bad, all I want to do is fish. I don't care about skiing or that. Trolling motors seem more reliable. Could a guy get a 70lb Minn and just not use a gas motor? Boat is 15' trihull fiberglass. I'm gonna get the wife and go out and fool with it. Also, I used 86 octane gas in mix. Had not read manual that said 91. Could this be cause? If so, then why would it start and run right away? Thanks and I'll report back later. I paid $1700.00 for it with the dilly trailer. There is no damage to the fiberglass and the seat have not sun rot or tears. Was kept covered in carport.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

Dont worry about the octane, 87, 89 is fine. These motors are reliable, as posted, what was your starting procedure, step by step? Did you read the threads I mentioned?

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

Try starting again and then check your spark plugs if it doesn't fire. Let us know what they look like.(wet or dry)

Also be sure the choke plates are closing tightly when you use the toggle.

Use the choke right from the start and don't be afraid to keep it closed till it starts.

The motor should start before it floods unless there are ignition problems.

After assuring fuel is getting to the plugs, check spark if it still is not starting.

 

[rattlerbreath]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

OK. I went out and tried again. Then checked the middle plug. It is wet, and looks very good. Then, I manually clicked the choke into choke position on the motor. I lift up the 'lift to start' hold toggle switch up and turn the key. Same thing. Starter engages and whirls, but no start. How do I check spark without shorting it out? Electric stuff is not my strength at all!!!! I also tried starting it without lifting lever.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

Per the manufacturer's starting instructions, the warm-up lever is to be lifted fully for starting. For a cold engine the choke toggle is to be used also. However it doesn't hurt to try other methods as you said you did.

Per manufacturer for cold engine: Lift warm-up lever fully.......turn key and simultaneously lift and hold choke toggle switch.....hold 10 seconds or until motor starts....after 10 seconds let go momentarily and then try again....do not crank for more than 10 seconds.

I would pull all plugs to check condition of each and if all are wet check spark. I believe the spark checking method is in the FAQ at the top of this section or you can search and find it probably a hundred places.

ALSO, do you have a choke lever/switch on the motor?

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

For spark testing check out this post

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=449267&highlight=spark+method

 

[Fed]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

Starter engages and whirls, but no start.

The flywheel spins right?
Sounds to me like you need someone to show you how to start it.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

You may want to check the spark to see if it jumps a 7/16 " open air gap when it acts up.

 

[75-JOHNSON]

Re: 1975 evinrude 75hp won't start on lake

If the boat was run for a while on the lake then you tried to started with the choke on it probably wouldnt start.