1983 Evinrude 4 HP wont start

[DRCrowe]

I'm trying to get a 1983 4 hp Evinrude to run for a friend. The number is E4BRHCTA. The owner told me it started to run poorly and then stopped and wouldn't start again.
It has very good spark on each plug and 100 psi on each cylinder. I tore the carb down and cleaned it. (It was in good shape and the jets were clean). I actually pulled it after I cleaned it to make sure the float bowl was filling with gas and it was.
One note, Normally I would expect to see a little gas drip our of the carb if it was choked and pulled the rope several times. I didn't see anything. Also, I can't feel any vacuum when I put my thumb over the carb intake and pull the rope? Could it be a crankcase seal issue? I tried a shot of starting fluid. Nothing. It's a cute little motor and I don't mind spending some time on it. I'd just like to get pointed in the right direction.
Thanks! DC

 

[racerone]

Does spark jump a gap of 1/4" or more on a test device, yes , no or no idea why that is an important test ?

 

[DRCrowe]

Thanks for getting back to me racerone. Correct, I should have been more specific. At first I did the quick and dirty spark test with the plug grounded against the block and the spark was goo on both cylinders. Then for good measure I installed my spar tester and adjusted it of 1/4 inch gap and it the results were the same, good arc. I didn't adjust the spark tester any more. I felt I was OK with the spark. Honestly, I was hoping is was a spark issue!

 

[DRCrowe]

I thought I'd bump this up and see if I could get some help on this one. Motor is a 1983 Evinrude 4hp E4BRHCTA.

I took some pictures of the compression test for both cylinders and the spark tester (sorry, I couldn't get a picture of the spark, but the gap tester pictured is adjusted to the point where I could still get an occasional spark. About 7/16ths . At 1/4 inch it was consistent with a good blue arc on both plug wires.

I pulled the rope about 30 times and got it to backfire twice. That's it. I tried spraying mixed gas from a spray bottle and misting the carb, no luck.

I feel like there is no vacuum at the carb. When I put my thumb over the opening I would expect to feel some vacuum or some raw gas from me chocking it when I pull it over, nothing? I did disassemble the carb and pulled the main jet which was clean and open when I looked through it.

I don't have a manual but probably need to get one. My next thought is to check the timing. Can anyone help me with the specs?

 

[racerone]

It backfired ?----Try switching plug wires.----Costs no coins to try that.

 

[kbait]

The coil with orange wire w/blue stripe feeds top cylinder

 

[racerone]

kbait----What if this motor just uses the universal magneto with breaker points ???----No orange wire with stripes on this model !!

 

[DRCrowe]

Success guys! I pulled the flywheel and checked the points and they were both at .019 and everything looked normal.
I decided to dig a little deeper and checked the reeds. That was it! there were two small pieces of black plastic holding the bottom two reeds open. I removed both pieces put it all back together and it fired up and purrs like a kitten. How worried should I be that there is additional plastic in the crank case? I'll attach a few more pics.

Thanks again racerone and kbait. Knowing there are guys like you willing to invest your time in guys like me goes a long way and gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward on this project. Have a great weekend!